A new study of the oceans of Europa suggest oceans on that giant moon may be habitable.
But is there life?
The oceans of Europa may be habitable, according to a new model developed by NASA.
This moon 3,100 km (1,900 miles) in diameter is the fourth-largest moon orbiting Jupiter.
Although smaller than our own Moon, Europa is larger than Pluto.
However, the chemical makeup of these extraterrestrial oceans remains uncertain.
However, under its frozen surface sit oceans far greater than those on our homeworld.
This heat also wears on mineral deposits, releasing water.
We were able to model the composition and physical properties of the core, silicate layer, and ocean.
Since its discovery more than four centuries ago, Europa has only become more wondrous.
Far from being a featureless world, Europa is drizzled with detail and intricate beauty.
The magnetic field of Europa also provides evidence for the presence of aliquid waterocean beneath the icy surface.
Previously, most researchers believed the oceans of Europa would be sulfur-rich.
Comets, drawn by the powerful gravitational force of Jupiter, would pummel Europa in vast numbers.
And, much like Earth, chemical reactions on Europa produce 10 times as much oxygen as hydrogen.
This quality might make the development of life on Europa even more likely.
However, how warm all these heating sources makes thewaterremains a mystery, worthy of exploration.
Europa clipper
Severalspacecrafthave, so far, ventured to the neighborhood of this enigmatic satellite of Jupiter.
Voyager 1 and 2made their way past the Jovian system (including Europa) in 1979.
In the video above, a look at the water world Europa.
Europa is one of our best chances of finding life in our solar system.
The Europa Clipper will bring nine instruments to bear on the mysterious moon.
Cameras will be joined by thermal detectors, magnetometers, and radars designed to peer beneath theice.
Flying this close to Europa, the Clipper will experience massive exposure to potentially damagingradiation.
The elongated orbit minimizes exposure to the craft.
This recent study is currently being discussed at theGoldschmidt Virtual Conference, being held June 2126, 2020.
This article was originally published onThe Cosmic CompanionbyJames Maynard, founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion.
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