Question

Venusian Atmospheric Superrotation

The atmosphere of Venus rotates nearly $60$ times faster than the planet's solid surface, a phenomenon known as superrotation. Two models attempt to explain this phenomenon.

*Model $1$*
Superrotation is driven primarily by solar thermal tides. Solar heating of the dayside atmosphere creates pressure waves (thermal tides) that travel westward, matching the sun's apparent motion. These waves transfer horizontal momentum directly to the upper atmosphere, accelerating the zonal (east-west) winds. This model predicts that wind speeds are highest where solar heating is most intense (at the equator) and decreases significantly toward the poles. Zonal wind speeds are not significantly affected by latitudinal air transport (meridional circulation).

*Model $2$*
Superrotation is driven by a combination of global meridional (north-south) circulation cells and atmospheric eddies. Solar heating causes hot air to rise at the equator and move toward the poles in the upper atmosphere. As this air moves, conservation of angular momentum causes it to spin faster. Eddies (turbulent disturbances) then transport this momentum back toward the equator. This model predicts that meridional wind speeds are critical to maintaining zonal superrotation and that superrotation occurs at all latitudes, with high-speed jet streams forming at mid-to-high latitudes rather than just at the equator.

Based on the models provided, is the following statement True or False?

'Model $1$ supports the belief that the transport of momentum by global north-south (meridional) circulation cells is the primary driver of Venus's atmospheric superrotation.'