旋转着的地球周围的大气和海洋中的行星尺度流场的描述,固然可以采用较精确的球坐标系统,但是,更方便、更经常采用的却是所谓“f-平面”和“β-平面”坐标系。譬如大气中Rossby波的引入、大洋环流的西向强化的揭示都是利用了β-坐标系。研究这种坐标系的几何学和动力学具有相当的意义是毋庸置疑的,过去对这一问 A more accurate description of the flow field in the atmosphere surrounding the rotating Earth and in the ocean, although more precise spherical coordinate systems are possible, but more convenient and more often used are the so-called “f-plane” and “β-plane ”Coordinate System. For example, the introduction of the Rossby wave in the atmosphere and the revelation of the westward enhancement of the oceanic circulation utilize the β-coordinate system. There is no doubt about the significance of studying the geometry and dynamics of such coordinate systems.