Flows in planets like Earth are characterized by many features, such as rotation and the difference in temperature between the hot core and the cold surface. These flows have very large dimensions and it is very hard to investigate them. To study them, Ph.D. student Matteo Madonia set up a unique experiment called TROCONVEX, a rotating cylinder with a temperature difference between bottom and top, and a maximum height of 4 meters. TROCONVEX allows researchers to explore new behaviors that can help us understand planetary flows. Madonia succesfully defended his thesis on 13th April 2022.