2006-11-21 09:31:53 · 6 answers · asked by Jessica 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Fact #1 is that Europa is not the smallest moon of Jupiter, it's one of the largest.
2006-11-21 09:34:55 · answer #1 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Europa is unlike any other body in the solar system, it is not jupiters smallest moon rather the smallest of the galilean moons of jupiter with a diameter of 3100km. Its surface is among the brightest in the solar system, a consequence of sunlight reflecting off a relatively young icy crust. Its face is also among the smoothest, lacking the heavily cratered appearance characteristic of Callisto and Ganymede. Lines and cracks wrap the exterior. if you were to scale Europa down it would probably be a smooth as a billiard ball. Scientists believe that beneath Europa's icy surface lies a liquid ocean which has the possibility of harbouring life. Let me make myself clear, we're not talking about intelligent life, but rather life that could be very similar to what is found at the bottom of our oceans.
Europa has a very tenuous atmosphere which is mostly made up of oxygen. Unlike oxygen on Earth however, which is created as a byproduct of photosynthesis in plants, oxygen on Europa is likely to originate when charged particles from the Sun hit water molecules on Europa’s surface. The water molecules are broken into hydrogen and oxygen atoms, and sometimes recombine to form hydrogen and oxygen gas.
NASA is planning to send a probe to Europa hopefully in 2015. Thinsprobe will land and have a device that will either melt or drill its way through the ice layer which could be a extensive a 10 to 15km. Once through the probe will launch a second probe which will act as a submarine and explore Europa's oceans. The Galileo spacecraft which arrived at Jupiter in 1994 confirmed that there is a liquid, briny ocean at some depth below Europa’s surface. It would also be an environment in which primitive unicellular organisms, called extremophiles on Earth, might be able to survive. As a result, any mission planned to land on Europa will have to pass extremely strict “planetary protection” qualifications in order to prevent the contamination of Europa by Earth organisms.
As a marine scientist and a person with a huge passion for astronomy, Europa is one of the most exciting bodies in the solar system. The things that could be learnt from this moon are endless and scientist are very eigar to try and draw comparisons to the earths oceans, but if there one thing the universe has taught us is to always expect the unexpected.
2006-11-21 10:06:43 · answer #2 · answered by Pete 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For starters, it's one of the bigger ones. You may be thinking of Io, which is the smallest of the Gallilan moons - but still not the smallest. Try wikipedia.
2006-11-21 09:35:48 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"It is the sixth moon in position by length of orbital period and the fourth largest by diameter and mass of Jupiter's satellites. It was discovered in 1610 by Galileo Galilei and is the smallest of the four Galilean moons named in his honor."
For more go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_%28moon%29
2006-11-21 09:34:58 · answer #4 · answered by maegical 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Umm.. well it proly gets real cold there. There are no life forms. And it just doesn't make a good vacation spot. :(
2006-11-21 09:35:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Something is going to happen,
Something wonderful.
2006-11-21 09:35:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋