2006-08-23 03:49:09 · 5 answers · asked by seeker 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Obviously no one knows but there is speculation that there might be life there for a few reasons:
1) Europa gives off more heat than it receives from the sun. This is due to the gravity of Jupiter pulling on the moon and creating internal friction. As a result, Europa has its own internal heat source.
2) Due to pictures from Voyager and Galileo we can see that the surface ice of Europa is very fractured, which indicates alot of geological activity under the ice and the possibility of a liquid water ocean under the ice. Very similar to the Arctic here on Earth.
Obviously, it's alot of speculation but it seems to me that both Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus, which has a very similar makeup, could have some form of life under their ice caps.
NASA is planning a probe specifically for Europa in the future to investigate this possibility.
2006-08-23 04:34:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a huge directory on the life on Europa
issue . It's fascinating !
I like the 'Scientists study Antarctic ice to find clues about possible life on Europa.'
Page . Just fascinating ! yes indeed .
2006-08-24 01:29:29 · answer #2 · answered by spaceprt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that Europa is the single best place in the Solar System to look for extraterrestrial life, even better than Mars. However, so far no one has any significant evidence that there IS life there, only that there COULD be life there.
Too bad JIMO was canceled. :(
2006-08-23 11:28:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. If there was life on Europa, it would have seen how stupid mankind is and moved far far away.
2006-08-23 11:22:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Possibly. There might be some type of mold or fungus in its freezing waters of salts, acids, and sulfer.
2006-08-23 13:37:09 · answer #5 · answered by Ron B. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋