Figure 12-9: R I V U X G
Hexagonal Pattern Around Saturn’s North Pole (a) An infrared image made by Cassini. Each side of the hexagonal pattern is about the diameter of Earth. Inside the hexagon is a rapidly circulating jet stream. (b) Experiments with fluids have recreated the green hexagonal pattern in a cylinder. The cylinder, filled with fluid, spins slowly to simulate Saturn’s overall rotation, while an inner ring is spun faster than the fluid to simulate the jet stream observed around Saturn’s pole. Simulating Saturn’s gaseous atmosphere can be performed with fluids because under the right conditions, fluids and gas behave similarly.
Hexagonal Pattern Around Saturn’s North Pole (a) An infrared image made by Cassini. Each side of the hexagonal pattern is about the diameter of Earth. Inside the hexagon is a rapidly circulating jet stream. (b) Experiments with fluids have recreated the green hexagonal pattern in a cylinder. The cylinder, filled with fluid, spins slowly to simulate Saturn’s overall rotation, while an inner ring is spun faster than the fluid to simulate the jet stream observed around Saturn’s pole. Simulating Saturn’s gaseous atmosphere can be performed with fluids because under the right conditions, fluids and gas behave similarly.
(a: Cassini/NASA; b: Ana Claudia Barbosa Aguiar/Science Magazine)