"Icy Moon Ocean Temperatures Revealed by Ice Thickness"

Scientists are exploring the possibility of warm oceans under icy shells on various Solar System objects, which could potentially support life. Researchers at Cornell University have developed a method to determine the temperature of an icy world's ocean by measuring the thickness of its ice shell and associated properties, known as ice pumping. This method could provide insights into the ocean temperatures of distant worlds without the need for direct exploration. The study has implications for upcoming missions, such as NASA's Europa Clipper, which aims to measure Europa's ice thickness more accurately and potentially uncover clues about the potential for life in these ocean worlds.