Effects of Density Stratification in Compressible Polytropic Convection

ORAL

Abstract

We study compressible convection in polytropically-stratified atmospheres, exploring the effect of varying the total density stratification. Using the Dedalus pseudospectral framework, we perform 2D and 3D simulations. In these experiments we vary the number of density scale heights, studying atmospheres with little stratification (1 density scale height) and significant stratification (5 density scale heights). We vary the level of convective driving (quantified by the Rayleigh number), and study flows at similar Mach numbers by fixing the initial superadiabaticity. We explore the differences between 2D and 3D simulations, and in particular study the equilibration between different reservoirs of energy (kinetic, potential and internal) in the evolved states.

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Authors

  • Cathryn M. Manduca

    Dept. Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado -- Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA

  • Evan H. Anders

    Dept. Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado -- Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA

  • Baylee Bordwell

    Dept. Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado -- Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA

  • Benjamin Brown

    Dept. Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado -- Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA, Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado

  • Keaton Burns

    Dept. Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • Daniel Lecoanet

    Princeton Center for Theoretical Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA, Princeton Center for Theoretical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton Center for Theoretical Science, Princeton University, Princeton University, Princeton Univ

  • Jeffrey S. Oishi

    Dept. Physics & Astronomy, Bates College, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA, Bates College

  • Geoffrey Vasil

    School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia, School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, University of Sydney