Final answer:
Jet streams form in Earth's upper atmosphere as well as on other jovian planets like Jupiter and Saturn, influenced by stable east-west wind patterns. Their name comes from their high speeds, similar to those of jet aircraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jet streams form in the upper atmosphere of the Earth, with similar patterns being observed on other giant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn. On Jupiter, for instance, a jet stream flows eastward at the equator with a speed of about 90 meters per second, which is comparable to jet streams on Earth. These streams are affected by underlying east-west wind patterns in the atmosphere that are relatively constant and can be tracked for many years. On Earth, jet streams influence weather patterns and are critical components in the study of meteorology. The name 'jet stream' is derived from their high speed, which is reminiscent of the speed of a jet aircraft.
Saturn also has jet streams, with an even stronger equatorial jet stream than Jupiter's. Similar to Earth and Jupiter, jet streams on Saturn are caused by atmospheric wind patterns. These winds are structured into alternating eastward and westward streams in both hemispheres, creating a mirror image across the equator. Monitoring cloud patterns and atmospheric circulation on jovian planets provides insights into their respective jet streams.