2006-11-23 19:38:55 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
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. I personally believe that there could be some form of microbial life lying somewhere down there.
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.
2006-11-23 20:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by Pete 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Europa, (yu ROH puh), is a large moon of Jupiter. Its surface is made of ice, which may have an ocean of water beneath it. Such an ocean could provide a home for living things. The surface layer of ice or ice and water is 50 to 100 miles (80 to 160 kilometers) deep. The satellite has an extremely thin atmosphere. Electrically charged particles from Jupiter's radiation belts continuously bombard Europa.
Europa's interior is hotter than its surface. This internal heat comes from the gravitational forces of Jupiter and Jupiter's other large satellites, which pull Europa's interior in different directions. As a result, the interior flexes, producing heat in a process known as tidal heating. The core of Europa may be rich in iron, but most of the satellite is made of rock.
so there are good chances of life thriving in europa's underground oceans.
2006-11-23 22:15:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientists believe that beneath Europa's icy crust there may be a liquid ocean. Volcanic activity may allowed this ocean to form under the crust, with heat from the moon's core rising up through thermal vents in the ocean bed. It is possible that primitive aquatic life may have developed here.
2006-11-23 19:51:06 · answer #3 · answered by Jeramie L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Europa and Titan have Water Content
Wherever there is water, there is life
If other factors such as pressure, temperature and climate were normal on Europa then there would have been life
2006-11-23 20:19:40 · answer #4 · answered by Santhosh Shiva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contrary to what arthur c clarke said, there is no visible life on europa
2006-11-23 19:40:53 · answer #5 · answered by nukeu666 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems to be the best possible place.
2006-11-23 19:40:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. way too cold
2006-11-23 19:44:51 · answer #7 · answered by jhstha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋