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Europa

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Europa's deep ocean could be energy-starved, study suggests
science19 days ago

Europa's deep ocean could be energy-starved, study suggests

A computer-modeling study indicates Europa’s global ocean may lack the energy needed to support life because its rocky interior is largely quiet and tidal heating is weak. Energy would be scarce for potential ecosystems, confined to shallow rocky zones or radiolysis-driven chemistry, making life less likely overall. The findings help guide the Europa Clipper mission’s search strategies, but confirmation would require direct samples from the ocean.

via Earth.com|
#astrobiology#astronomy#europa
Europa’s Ice Shell Is Much Thicker Than We Thought, New Juno Data Show
space-and-spaceflight1 month ago

Europa’s Ice Shell Is Much Thicker Than We Thought, New Juno Data Show

A 2022 Juno flyby analysis estimates Europa’s ice shell in the observed region to be about 29 kilometers (18 miles) thick on average. If a warmer, convective inner layer exists, the total thickness could be greater; the presence of dissolved salt could reduce thickness by roughly 4.8 kilometers. Near-surface “scatterers” (cracks/pores) are likely small and not major pathways for exchange with the ocean. These findings help constrain how the subsurface ocean might connect to the surface and inform upcoming Europa Clipper and Juice missions in assessing the moon’s habitability.

via Gizmodo|
#europa#habitability#ice-shell-thickness
Juno Estimates Europa’s Ice Shell at 29 Kilometers, Hinting at a Deeper Ocean
space1 month ago

Juno Estimates Europa’s Ice Shell at 29 Kilometers, Hinting at a Deeper Ocean

NASA’s Juno used its Microwave Radiometer to measure Europa’s near-surface ice shell during a 2022 flyby, finding an average thickness of about 29 km (18 miles) in the observed region and favoring thicker-shell models; if a salty layer exists, thickness could be reduced by about 3 miles. The data also reveal small near-surface scatterers—cracks and pores—not likely to provide major nutrient pathways to the subsurface ocean, with implications for future Europa Clipper and Juice missions.

via NASA (.gov)|
#europa#habitability#ice-shell
Drifting surface ice could ferry life-supporting chemicals to Europa’s hidden ocean
space1 month ago

Drifting surface ice could ferry life-supporting chemicals to Europa’s hidden ocean

Washington State University researchers model lithospheric foundering on Jupiter’s moon Europa, showing that salt-rich surface ice can sink through the ice shell and transport oxidants formed by Jupiter’s radiation into the subsurface ocean in as little as 30,000 years, potentially delivering the ingredients needed for life and informing upcoming Europa Clipper investigations.

via Space|
#astrobiology#europa#ice
Europa's Seafloor Shows Little Activity, Reducing Life Prospects
science1 month ago

Europa's Seafloor Shows Little Activity, Reducing Life Prospects

A new study suggests that Europa's ocean floor likely lacks significant tectonic activity and hydrothermal vents, reducing its chances for supporting life, though other energy sources might still exist. The findings imply that Europa may be less hospitable for life than previously thought, but the search continues with upcoming missions like NASA's Europa Clipper.

via Space|
#europa#hydrothermal-vents#life-potential
Mysterious Spider-Like Formations on Europa and Jupiter Spark Alien Life Theories
science2 months ago

Mysterious Spider-Like Formations on Europa and Jupiter Spark Alien Life Theories

Scientists have proposed that the mysterious spider-like feature observed on Europa's surface, initially thought to be a structure within a crater, may have formed through processes similar to Earth's lake stars, but likely resulted from an asteroid impact that created cracks allowing salty water to seep through, providing insights into Europa's subsurface and potential signs of extraterrestrial life.

via Live Science|
#asteroid-impact#damhan-alla#europa
Scientists Discover Arachnid-Like Creatures on Jupiter's Moon
science2 months ago

Scientists Discover Arachnid-Like Creatures on Jupiter's Moon

Scientists have proposed that the mysterious spider-like feature on Europa's surface, initially discovered by NASA's Galileo spacecraft, may have formed through processes similar to Earth's lake stars, possibly caused by an asteroid impact that allowed salty water to seep through Europa's ice, providing insights into subsurface conditions and potential habitats for extraterrestrial life.

via Yahoo|
#damhan-alla#europa#icy-moons
Scientists Investigate Spider-Like Feature on Europa Indicating Possible Subsurface Water
science2 months ago

Scientists Investigate Spider-Like Feature on Europa Indicating Possible Subsurface Water

Scientists have identified a large, spider-shaped surface feature on Jupiter's moon Europa, called Damhán Alla, which may indicate water erupting through the ice shell and suggest the presence of a subsurface ocean, making Europa a promising candidate for extraterrestrial life. The feature resembles Earth's lake stars and was first observed by NASA's Galileo mission, with further studies potentially revealing more about Europa's hidden water reservoirs.

via Futurism|
#damhan-alla#europa#science