Experimental determinations of the transition between the symmetrical and wave regimes in a rotating differentially heated annulus of fluid

Summary The transition between axisymmetric and wave convection in a rotating, cylindrical annulus of fluid subjected to a horizontal temperature gradient is usually determined in laboratory experiments by visually observing the motion of tracer particles at the top surface of the fluid. More recent transition determinations by means of small transducers suspended within the body of the fluid give evidence of quantitative disagreement with the visual method. The dgree of disagreement and experimental details are discussed in this note.Contribution No. 20 of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute.