A GCM experiment on an atmosphere of a synchronously rotating planet.

Abstract

Extrasolar planets near stars is considered to rotatesynchronously due to strong tidal force. On a synchronously rotating planet, one side is permanentlyilluminated while the other side is in perpetual darkness. Joshi et al. (1997) performs an atmospheric GCM simulation on a synchronouslyrotating planet, but their model does not contain hydrologic processes. In this study, a GCM experiment is performed fora moist atmosphere on a synchronously rotating planet, and atmospheric circulation and heat transport are examined. The results indicate thatlongitudinal heat transport in the low latitudinal region is caused by propagation of equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves,and that in the higher latitudinal regionis caused by baroclinic eddies.