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Journal of Fluid Mechanics Webinar Series: Jon Aurnou, UCLA

Category
JFM Webinar Series
Date

Speaker: Jon Aurnou, UCLA, USA

Date/Time: Friday 19th March, 2021. 4:00 pm GMT/11am EST

Title: Dynamo Generating Flows in Planetary Cores

Abstract: Planetary bodies typically host substantial liquid metal interior fluid layers. The fluid layers are often in turbulent motion due to planetary thermochemical evolutionary processes. This rapidly rotating turbulence can generate coherent, planetary-scale magnetic fields that can protectively shield a planet for its harsh surrounding space environment. In this talk, I will present scaling arguments for the behaviors of core flows mixed with simple table-top experiments. I will then present the most recent laboratory and theoretical models of these flows, and what aspects of dynamo observations they can and cannot yet explain.