Dr. Sayanagi’s research interests encompass a wide range of topics in planetary atmospheres.
His research activities can be categorized into three rough areas; Atmospheric Dynamics, Planetary Imaging Science, and Measurement Method Developments.
Dr. Sayanagi studies atmospheric dynamics by numerically modeling atmospheric features such as jetstreams, vortices and waves. He uses the EPIC Atmosphere Model to perform numerical experiments.
Jet Formation Mechanism on Giant Planets (mpeg movie)
Second, he analyzes images returned from space probes to analyze clouds; in particular, as an Affiliate Member of Cassini Mission‘s Imaging Science Subsystem Team, he analyzes the images returned from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft to study the motions and properties of clouds on Saturn. Third, he develops measurement methods and image processing techniques to improve and enable new analysis of images returned from space missions.
Interview Video:
References:
Sayanagi, K.M., Dyudina, U.A., Ewald, S.P., and Ingersoll, A.P., 2017. “Cassini ISS Observation of Saturn’s North Polar Vortex and Comparison to the South Polar Vortex.” Icarus Vol 285, p.68-82. (Download)
Sanchez-Lavega, A., Fischer, G., Fletcher, L.N., Garcia-Melendo, E., Hesman, B., Perez-Hoyos, S., Sayanagi, K.M., and Sromovsky, L.A., 2016, “Great Saturn Storm of 2010-2011” Chapter to be published in: Saturn in the 21st Century, Cambridge Univ. Press. Accepted, in Press (Preprint Available at arXiv)
Sayanagi, K.M., Baines, K.H., Dyudina, U.A., Fletcher, L.N., Sanchez-Lavega, A., West, R.A., 2016, “Saturn’s Polar Atmosphere” Chapter to be published in: Saturn in the 21st Century, Cambridge Univ. Press. Accepted, In Press) (Preprint Available at arXiv)
Cosentino, R.G., Simon, A.A., Morales-Juberias R., Sayanagi, K.M. 2015. “Observations and Numerical Modelling of the Jovian Ribbon,” Astrophysical Journal Letters 810, L10. (Download)
Morales-Juberías, R., Sayanagi, K. M., Simon, A. A., Fletcher, L. N., Cosentino, R. G. 2015, “Meandering Shallow Atmospheric Jet as a Model of Saturn’s North-polar Hexagon,” Astrophysical Journal Letters 806, L18. (Download)
de Pater, I., Sromovsky, L.A., Fry, P.M., Hammel, H.B., Baranec, C. and Sayanagi, K.M., 2015, “Record-breaking storm activity on Uranus in 2014”, Icarus, Vol 252, p.121–128 (Download)
Fischer, G., Ye, S.-Y., Groene, J. B., Ingersoll, A. P., Sayanagi, K. M., Menietti, J. D., Kurth, W. S., and Gurnett, D. A., 2014, “A possible influence of the Great White Spot on Saturn kilometric radiation periodicity”, Annales Geophysicae, Vol 32, p.1463-1476. (Download)
Arridge, C.S., et al., 2014, “The science case for an orbital mission to Uranus: Exploring the origins and evolution of ice giant planets,” Planetary and Space Science, Vol 104, p.122-140. (Download)
Sayanagi, K.M., Dyudina, U.A., Ewald, S.P., Muro, G.D., and Ingersoll, A.P., 2014. “Cassini ISS Observation of Saturn’s String of Pearls” Icarus, Vol 229, p.170-180. (Download)
Sayanagi, K.M., and 8 co-authors, 2013, “Dynamics of Saturn’s Great Storm of 2010-2011 from Cassini ISS and RPWS” Icarus, 223, p. 460-478. (Download)
Diniega, S., Sayanagi, K.M. and 18 co-authors. 2013 “Mission to the Trojan Asteroids: lessons learned during a JPL Planetary Science Summer School Mission Design Exercise,” Planetary and Space Science, 76, p. 68-82 (Download)
Christophe, B. et al., 2012, “OSS: an Outer Solar System Mission towards Neptune, Triton and KBO” Experimental Astronomy, 34, pp.203-242 (Download)
Barnes, J.W. et al., 2012, “AVIATR – Aerial Vehicle for In-Situ and Airborne Titan Reconnaissance” to Experimental Astronomy Vol. 33, p.55-127 (Download)
Squyres, S. et al., 2011, “Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022.” Committee on the Planetary Science Decadal Survey, Space Studies Board, National Academies. (Download)
Arridge. C.S. et al., 2011, “Uranus Pathfinder: Exploring the Origins and Evolution of Ice Giant Planets” Experimental Astronomy, Vol.33, pp. 753-791 (Download)
Morales-Juberias, R., Sayanagi, K. M., Ingersoll, A. P. and Dowling, T. E., 2011. “Emergence of Polar-Jet Polygons from Jet Instabilities in a Saturn Model” Icarus. Vol. 211, Issue 2, p. 1284-1293 (Download)
Sayanagi, K. M., Morales-Juberias, R., and Ingersoll, A. P., 2010, “Saturn’s Northern Hemisphere Ribbon: Simulations and Comparison with the Meandering Gulf Stream” Journal of Atmospheric Sciences. Vol. 67, Issue 8, p.2658-2678 (Download)
Sayanagi, K. M., Showman, A. P. and Dowling, T. E., 2008, “The emergence of multiple robust zonal jets from freely evolving, three-dimensional stratified geostrophic turbulence with applications to Jupiter.” Journal of Atmospheric Sciences. Vol. 65, Issue 12, p.3947–3962. (Download)
Sayanagi, K.M., 2008, “Under Jupiter’s Pulsing Skin,” Nature, Volume 451, Issue 7177, p. 409-410 (Download)
Sayanagi, K.M. and Showman, A.P. 2007, “Effects of a Large Convective Storm on Saturn’s Equatorial Jet,” Icarus, Volume 187, Issue 2, p. 520-539 (Download)
