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Re: [Phys-L] field of an ellipsoidal distribution



BTW, does anyone out there in Phys-l-land (perhaps a planetary scientist) know if anyone has done a study of the shapes of the Jovian planets to see if their shapes agree with theoretical prediction in terms of the shape being an actual spheroid whose size and eccentricity are compatible with the measured mass, quadrupole anisotropy of the gravitational field, and rotation rate? These planets tend to be substantially more eccentric than Earth due to their low densities, large sizes and relatively fast rotation rates, and they also have a fluid composition (outside a possible solid core) and fluid surface on the outer cloud decks. Neptune & Uranus have only been flown by with 1970s era imaging technology. But Jupiter and Saturn have been extensively studied with the Galileo & Cassini orbiters that have higher imaging resolution that might detect small shape deviations from theoretical predictions. Of course complicated transformations would need to be done in calculating the shape profiles because of perspective effects on the nearby orbiting spacecraft. One possible source of discrepancy with (equilibrium) theory is the fact that both Jupiter & Saturn have strong dynamical convective processes in their interiors and exhibit differential rotation such that the surface rotation rate is latitude dependent, and there are strong winds belts blowing in opposite directions in different latitude zones. But I haven't done either the math or a literature search to find out what the status of the situation is regarding this question.

David Bowman