Vertical cyclones in a rotating space habitat

A common, matter-efficient, science-fiction habitat is a hollow cylinder or ring in space that is spun to simulate the pull of gravity on its interior surface. While for most purposes this artificial gravity acts just like what we are used to on Earth there will be observable differences between the Coriolis effects in the two rotating systems.

The Coriolis effects on the Earth deflect matter moving towards a pole (ascending) to the East (spinward) and matter moving towards the equator (descending) to the West (anti-spinward). One of the most notable consequences of this effect is the formation of cyclones. The Coriolis effect deflects winds into a circle around a low-pressure zone resulting in incredibly powerful storm systems.

On a rotating habitat, the largest Coriolis effects would be observed vertically (from the perspective of someone in the habitat). On Earth, this vertical component of the Coriolis effect is called the Eotvos effect but isn't strong enough to overcome other vertical forces such as gravity and pressure. In our rotating habitat, the vertical Coriolis effect or Eotvos effect should be noticeably stronger and will also deflect moving air into cycles. Air moving spinward is deflected down. Air moving down is deflected anti-spinward. Air moving anti-spinward is deflected up. Air moving up is deflected spinward. This could create a wind cycle just like the ones on Earth that result in cyclones except these cyclones would be turned to stand on their edge. These vertical cyclones would spin in the opposite direction that the habitat spins.

I want to know whether it is possible for such vertical cyclones to form in a rotating habitat.

There are several distinct differences between our Earthly cyclones and these proposed vertical cyclones that jeopardize their existence in my mind. The main problem I see is that a vertical cycle will go through significant changes in pressure between high altitude and low altitude. Will this disrupt the cycle?

What other factors might make these vertical cyclones unrealistic?

Assuming the feasibility is dependent on the specific dimensions of the habitat here are the relevant characteristics of a torus that I have in mind:

Dimensions:

Distance from the center of the tube to the center of the ring: 10,000 km

Radius of the tube: 200 km

Spin:

Angular Velocity: ~0.005 rotations/minute

Tangential Velocity: ~5500 m/s

Centripetal Acceleration: ~3 m/s^2

Assume any other aspects of the world such as atmospheric pressure or composition are close to Earth's.

Other important innformation about the habitat, summarised from a previous question: A self eclipsing orbital ring:

The habitat orbits around a sun with the axis of rotation of the ring being perpendicular to its orbital plane. The upper half of the ring is transparent so it is fully naturally lit. The ring maintains the same absolute orientation during its year which causes interesting seasons as well as 2 eclipses every year where one side of the ring eclipses the other.

posted over 5 years ago

Mike Nichols‭

1 reputation 16 0 0 0