Three-dimensional modeling of the stratospheres of gas giants

Stratospheres of giant gas planets of the Solar System (Jupiter and Saturn) extend above the cloud top layers near the tropopause to the lower thermosphere. Their stratospheric dynamics are poorly understood, and are very distinctive from that of terrestrial-like planets due to peculiarities of the gas giants: the size, fast rotation, absence of solid surfaces, weak radiative forcing, and strong influence of the interiors. The main objectives of this work were to develop a threedimensional general circulation model (GCM) suitable for simulating the stratospheres of gas giants, and to apply it for studying the global circulations in the stratospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and generic extrasolar planets. The simulated mean fields and nonzonal disturbances were compared with available observations, and showed a good agreement in low latitudes, where the model resolution was the most sufficient. The developed GCM showed methodological suitability for studying atmospheric dynamics of giant gas planets under a variety of conditions.