Differential rotation

Differential rotation is rotation in which different parts of a body or fluid rotate at different angular velocities. It occurs in stars, planets, and accretion disks, unlike rigid-body rotation.

Angular velocity: Angular velocity measures how quickly an object’s angular position changes over time. Differential rotation means angular velocity varies with position.
Solar differential rotation: Solar differential rotation is the Sun’s variation in rotation rate with latitude and depth. The Sun rotates faster near its equator than near its poles.
Solar magnetic cycle: The solar magnetic cycle is the roughly 11-year variation in the Sun’s magnetic activity and sunspot number. Shear in the Sun’s interior helps convert magnetic-field components during the cycle.
Rigid-body rotation: Rigid-body rotation occurs when every part of a body has the same angular velocity. It is the limiting opposite of differential rotation.
Rotational shear: Rotational shear is the spatial variation of angular velocity within a rotating fluid or body. It is the velocity gradient that defines differential rotation.
Jupiter: Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, a gas giant with powerful zonal winds. Its visible cloud bands move at different speeds across latitude.
Helioseismology: Helioseismology uses solar oscillations to infer the Sun’s internal structure and motion. It maps how the Sun’s rotation rate changes beneath its surface.
Solid-body rotation: Solid-body rotation is rotation with angular velocity constant throughout the rotating body. It contrasts with the position-dependent rates that define differential rotation.
Conservation of angular momentum: Conservation of angular momentum states that total angular momentum remains constant in an isolated system. Redistributing angular momentum can create faster and slower rotating regions.
Saturn: Saturn is a gas giant with a prominent ring system and a deep, rapidly rotating atmosphere. Its atmospheric rotation varies with latitude and differs from its interior rotation.

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