This is a drawing showing another form of motions in a planets interior.
Click on image for full size

Motions in Neptune's Interior, part 2

Motions, or currents in the interior of a gas-giant planet such as Neptune may be very different from the motions typical of the Earth's interior.

A second idea for the motions in the interior of a gas-giant planet is shown in this picture. Strong heat coming from within a planet can cause this kind of motion to take place.

The drawing shows that underneath the clouds of Neptune, layered cylinders of material may be in motion, rolling in different directions. It is thought that this pattern may be in operation because the tips of the cylinders may correspond to the striped pattern of clouds seen in the atmosphere.

It is not known which of these two kinds of motion, one typical of the earth, and one like this, prevails in the interior of Neptune.


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