On the non-parallel instability of the rotating-sphere boundary layer

Antonio Segalini, Stephen Garrett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present a new solution for the steady boundary-layer flow over the rotating sphere that also accounts for the eruption of the boundary layer at the equator and other higher-order viscous effects. Non-parallel corrections to the local type I and type II convective instability modes of this flow are also computed as a function of spin rate. Our instability results are associated with the previously observed spiral vortices and remarkable agreement between our predictions of the number of vortices and experimental observations is found. Vortices travelling at 70 %–80 % of the local surface speed are found to be the most amplified for sufficient spin rates, also consistent with prior experimental observations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)288 - 318
JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics
Volume818
Early online date29 Mar 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 May 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the non-parallel instability of the rotating-sphere boundary layer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this