Influence of reference states on Jupiter’s dynamo simulations

Abstract

Jupiter’s magnetic field is thought to be generated in its deep metallic hydrogen region through dynamo action, yet the detailed dynamic process remains poorly understood. Numerical simulations have produced Jupiter-like magnetic fields, albeit using different control parameters and reference state models. In this study, we investigate the influence of different reference state models, based on ab initio calculations and based on the polytropic equation of state. In doing so, we perform five anelastic convection dynamo simulations that can be divided into two groups. In each group, different reference states are used while other control parameters and conditions are set to be identical. We find the reference state model can be very influential for the simulations in which buoyancy force is dominant over the Lorentz force. In this regime, different dynamical outcomes can be attributed to the effective buoyancy force resulting from different reference states. For simulations in which the Lorentz force is dominant over the buoyancy force, however, dynamo actions tend to be insensitive to different reference state models. If Jupiter’s dynamo is in a strong field regime, i.e., the Lorentz force plays a dominant role, our numerical results suggest that Jupiter’s internal reference state, which remains poorly constrained, may play a minor role in the dynamo process of the planet.