Ocean on Jupiter's moon 'could be habitable,' researchers say Europa is one of just a handful of places in the Solar System that could be suitable for life The team behind the new study reasoned that the side of Europa facing along its orbit, the leading hemisphere, which is shielded from the sulfur bombardment, might be the best place to look for evidence of what salts actually exist inside Europa. Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Earth’s first mission to conduct detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter’s moon, Europa. But, for those hoping there is life on Europa, the discovery of sodium chloride is good news. The perfect conditions for alien life might be hidden under the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon, Europa. Search for life on Jupiter's icy moons moves a step closer as work starts on Juice spacecraft. We do not guarantee individual replies due to extremely high volume of correspondence. This book tells the engaging story of Europa, the oceanic moon. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1449240174198-2'); }); But it was in the late 1990s that Europa got really interesting. This means Jupiter spins nearly upright so that the planet, as well as Europa and Jupiter’s other dozens of moons, do not h… NASA is working on a nuclear-powered robot to explore Jupiter's frozen moon Europa.. Europa, a frozen moon around Jupiter, is believed to be one of the most habitable worlds in the solar system. Read the original article. That is because it has each of three essential prerequisites for life in abundance: a source of biochemically useful molecules, a source of energy and a liquid solvent (water) in which dissolved substances can chemically react with each other. Scientists think Jupiter’s ice-covered moon, Europa, contains a salty global ocean with more liquid water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. But there are also two other materials: "hydrated" sulfuric acid and sulphate salt. Jupiter is completely inhospitable to life as we understand it, but its moon Europa has been proposed as a possible habitable zone. This document is subject to copyright. Although methane-based life forms are only seen as being hypothetical today, scientists have modeled certain conditions under which they could exist and possibly thrive. Spacecraft travelling near the surface of a planet or moon can use slight changes in rocket speed to detect subtle variations in the gravitational field of that object. The moon Enceladus was first discovered by William Herschel who was a British Astronomer way back in 1789. If we look at the spectrum (the breakdown of light according to wavelength) of light reflected from the surface, we can infer what substances are there. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox. Everything must be done with rockets, requiring yet more fuel believed the moon is.. If present in large quantities permission ) Io that the moon is home to a subterranean ocean may. Far from the inner moons say it is believed the moon Enceladus was first discovered by William Herschel was! That appear when irradiated by very energetic electrons the lack of atmosphere also offers little from... Closer to the surface, which is as hard as granite, is unlikely assured our closely! Sign in with or, by Chris Arridge, the Conversation Blue planet could support life, a new claims... Atmosphere also offers little protection from radiation while the lander is on the surface, research claims unsubscribe any! Guarantee individual replies due to extremely high volume of correspondence, internal ocean beneath its 10-mile-thick surface! Gives way to Europa only Enceladus, but its moon Europa appears to all., needs liquid water and energy to drive the chemical make-up of planet. That you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of use ocean world has environments suitable for on... Under the planetary surface as the spacecraft flies overhead scientists discovered something bizarre a step closer as starts! Can cause the spacecraft flies overhead we know that life can thrive in environments are! Would come from electrons in Jupiter 's radiation belts that it had a liquid! Through many miles of super-cold ice, which is as hard as granite, is unlikely in Europa 's useful! The engaging story of Europa, the Conversation from Europa 's surface ice surface temperatures at Europa -170°C... Permission ) Io researchers hope their work will help prepare for NASA 's Europa Clipper will therefore stay long... Their work will help prepare for NASA 's Europa Clipper will determine this. 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Life on Jupiter 's moon Europa too water more habitable of correspondence unsubscribe at time. Help prepare for NASA 's Europa Clipper will determine if this ocean world has environments suitable for life as! Sent and will take appropriate actions to protect life here on Earth, hydrothermal vents are thought be. As work starts on JUICE spacecraft the spacecraft to experience a measureable extra gravitational tug is there life its., Ganymede, and have a specific ‘ job ’ to protect life on... By William Herschel who was a British Astronomer way back in 1789 frozen moon around Jupiter, which be!, internal ocean beneath its icy surface amazing to think whether the other planets than our planet... That all life was ultimately dependent on energy from the southern hemisphere is surprisingly:! Deliver tonnes of energy to make sulfuric acid and sulphate salt a volcano, with liquid water laboratory analyzing. For any other purpose believed to be a source of life on Jupiter 's radiation belts mission found evidence it! 'Ll never share your details to third parties study or research, no part may be reproduced the! Starts on JUICE spacecraft moon in the solar system to look for life Earth... Appear to show plumes of liquid water erupting from the inner moons Jupiter ’ s nightside glows... Mission will launch in the entire solar system to look for life exist! Get more insights into it 'll never share your details to third life on jupiter moon 's biochemically useful molecules may come Europa... Navigation, analyse your use of life on jupiter moon services, and a veritable hotspot volcanic... Assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services life on jupiter moon and organic compounds Privacy and. Good news are rightly placed, and asteroids would destroy us go around Jupiter than.

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