If we really had the choice and funds (we have the technology of course) and "disreguarding" distance from earth, which would you personally prefer and...why...to command first (only 1 can be first)?
2006-09-09 18:37:17 · 5 answers · asked by afriendof CLIFFy D 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Or Enceladus maybe?
2006-09-09 18:38:48 · update #1
tech yes money no
2006-09-09 18:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They both are points to search for life. I'd go with Europa because of the water and its proximity to other useful objects of study (Jupiter's other satellites.) In that case, it may be more of a borer/submarine than a rover, as you'd want to get down under the ice to the water. If it were just a rover, it could still roll over the ice and monitor seismic activity, and send down radar/sonar/etc to figure out what's going on under the ice.
Titan has both an atmosphere and organic compounds. However, It rains methane instead of water, and I think we'd have an easier time identifying water-based life than some exotic alternative. It's also probably more common.
When humans choose to start colonizing the solar system, the Jupiter area will be of much greater importance than Saturn, and is also closer to the Belt. Also, the water of Europa would be a useful resource.
2006-09-10 01:41:38 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cassini will fly by Titan in 13 days and 13 hours from now so we will soon have a lot more information about the possibility of life there. They are all very interesting however like you say it will take a landing craft to really test for life. It wouldn't surprise me if there is life in one of them. Europa has water and oxygen. What else do we need for life? A magnetic field? Plate tectonics? If any of these satellites has plate tectonics, life may have emerged there already. I would go to Europa first, then with the same instruments go and visit Titan and Enceladus.
2006-09-10 02:05:37 · answer #3 · answered by jorge f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing I want to see is something to dig under the ice of Europa (or maybe Enceladus, as you said), since there is a real possibility of life under the ice. Roving and digging are quite different things, though. If it was just a rover, I'd choose Titan, to see the ethane (or was it methane?) lakes and rivers and such.
Too bad we can't just go everywhere!
2006-09-10 01:42:45 · answer #4 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go with Titan as its the only moon with an atmosphere and it is a factor for the search for life.
2006-09-10 01:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋