A versatile high-performance rotating facility for geophysical and astrophysical flows

We present the design, implementation, and experimental validation of a high-precision rotating facility developed for laboratory investigations of geophysical and astrophysical flows. The system adopts a modular architecture consisting of: (i) a stationary base with leveling accuracy better than 10−4 rad and vibration isolation, (ii) a dual-bearing stabilized rotating assembly, and (iii) a servo-driven transmission system. The static load capacity is 2 tons, and the rotation speed range tested so far is 0.1–80 rpm with a precision of 0.01 rpm. Key features of the design include the dual-bearing configuration, which ensures exceptional axis stability even at high rotation rates, and a novel structural design that enables convenient modifications to accommodate diverse experimental setups. The versatility of the facility is demonstrated via particle image velocimetry measurements in two representative cases: (a) a compact rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection experiment requiring precise temperature control and (b) the formation of zonal jets under the β effect in a 1 m-diameter cylindrical water tank at high rotation speeds. The extensible design readily supports future upgrades for more complex rotating experiments, such as those involving precession and nutation, thereby providing a robust platform for laboratory analogs of geophysical and astrophysical flows.