Some dynamic aspects of the Jovian and other atmospheres

A fluid system comprised of a mass of gas isolated in space from outside mechanical influences is studied from the standpoint of its differential rotation. A necessary condition is sought that this rotation be consistent with dynamic principles when all the motions are steady and axisymmetric. The flow is taken to be nonmagnetic, and the only forces acting in the zonal direction are taken to be those due to pressure and to friction. Various cases arise depending upon the choice of the angular velocity distribution. In agreement with recent results of R. Hide, certain of these turn out to be impossible, suggesting that more general motions with departures from zonal symmetry are needed to maintain such angular velocity distributions considered now as averages with respect to longitude. Possible applications to the atmospheres of Jupiter, the earth and to other actual gaseous systems are considered briefly.