2024-03-25 07:00:17
Within the solar system, Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, has intrigued scientists for decades. Recently, a study by researchers revealed new details about the composition and structure of its icy crust, paving the way for implications about the possibility of extraterrestrial life (Extraterrestrial life refers to any form of life existing elsewhere than on the planet…).
From the first space exploration missions, such as that of the Voyager spacecraft, indications of the existence of a ocean (Oceans stylized Ξ©cΓ©ans is a French documentary directed by…) under the surface (A surface generally refers to the surface layer of an object. The term a…) frozenEurope (Europe is a land region that can be considered a…) were detected. However, it is thanks to the mission Galileo (Galileo is the name of the future European satellite positioning system, in testing since…) only data (In information technology (IT), data is an elementary description, often…) were collected to support this theory (The word theory comes from the Greek word theorein, which means βto contemplate, observe,…). THE observations (Observation is the action of attentively following phenomena, without wanting to…) of the probe showed signs ofactivity (The term activity can designate a profession.) geological, suggesting the presence of underground activity. Furthermore, variations in the magnetic field (In physics, the magnetic field (or magnetic induction, or flux density…) of the moon indicate the probable presence of a ocean (An ocean is often defined, in geography, as a vast body of water…) of salt water beneath the frozen surface. Realizing the importance of this discovery, researchers set out to refine estimates of the thickness of Europa’s icy crust. Their work, published in Science Advancesrevealed that this icy shell measures at least twenty kilometers (The meter (symbol m, from the Greek metron, measurement) is the basic unit of length of the System…) thick, i.e. quantity (Quantity is a generic metrology term (account, amount); a scalar,…) substantial amount of ice that protects the subterranean ocean from the surrounding cold space.
This study also revealed that the ice forming the crust of Europa has varied thermal characteristics. The outer part of this shell, six to eight kilometers thick, is conductive, while the ice underneath shows signs of convection (Convection is a mode of energy transfer which involves a movement of…) thermal (Thermal is the science which deals with the production of energy, the use of…) relatively warm. However, it is important to note that this thickness of twenty kilometers can vary from one region to another on the moon, which complicates our understanding of its geological structure.
These recent discoveries also raise questions about other moons of Jupiter, such as Ganymede and Callisto, which could also harbor internal oceans. However, the icy shells of these moons are thought to be much thicker than Europa’s, which would make the search for life beneath their surfaces even more complex.
Thus, this study opens new perspectives for understanding the icy worlds of our solar system and for the quest for extraterrestrial life beyond Earth.
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