Jonathan Aurnou Research Group

University of California, Los Angeles

How do rotating convection and magnetoturbulence produce planetary magnetic fields and jet structures? Aurnou’s group conducts laboratory experiments that emulate planetary core and atmosphere flows to observe rotating turbulence and magnetoconvection. The group develops numerical simulations to extend laboratory results and test dynamo and transport hypotheses under planetary parameter regimes. Researchers formulate theoretical models from combined experimental and numerical data to identify mechanisms of heat transfer, jet formation and magnetic field generation. Diagnostic methods include velocimetry, thermometry and magnetics to quantify flow dynamics and to compare with theoretical predictions.