Quasi-steady flow of a rotating stratified fluid in a sphere

Abstract

The steady and quasi-steady motion achieved in a rotating stratified sphere of fluid is studied in the context of a linearized Boussinesq model. In certain parameter ranges an explicit expression is obtained for the flow field as a functional of the surface stress. The non-singular interior solution is used to examine the behaviour of the boundary layer close to the equator. The results agree with previous conclusions about the behaviour of a rotating stratified fluid in simpler geometries. Viewing the problem as a simple model for the interior core of the sun, this work indicates a solar spin-down time that is within the lifetime of the sun.