A Laboratory Model of the Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation of Tidally Locked Exoplanets

We report on a novel fluid dynamics experiment configuration based on a modified version of the differentially heated rotating annulus, a widely used laboratory model of the large-scale mid-latitude atmospheric circulation. Through applying an azimuthally (zonally) inhomogeneous, dipole-like thermal boundary condition—imitating a permanent “day side” and “night side” in the rotating setting—we explore the character of the flow patterns emerging at different values of the zonal temperature contrast and rotation rate. This configuration may prove to be a useful minimal model of the large-scale atmospheric circulation of tidally locked exoplanets.