Meridional energy balance of Jupiter

The meridional energy balance of Jupiter is calculated from high spatial resolution observations by the Voyager 1 infrared spectrometer and radiometer. On a hemispheric scale Jupiter radiates thermal energy to space approximately uniform with latitude while solar energy absorption varies approximately as the solar angle. This implies internal adjustment to the solar energy with a larger contribution poleward of ±45° than in the equatorial zone. The internal flux is modulated by the major visible features of the zone and belt system but, unlike the hemispheric scale where increased internal flux is correlated with decreased solar absorption, on smaller scales the inverse occurs. The energy balance is very likely to be controlled by dynamics, but the relative influence of the upper atmosphere and the interior is not yet clear. Models have been proposed that would explain the pole-to-equator variation in the thermal emission and it is suggested that the smaller scale variations may be the result of forced convective circulation.