In 2016, a study suggested that Europa produces 10 times more oxygen than hydrogen, which is similar to Earth. This could make its probable ocean friendlier for life — and the moon may not need to rely on tidal heating to generate enough energy. Instead, chemical reactions would be enough to drive the cycle.21 Mar 2018
Why is Europa moon important?
What is special about Europa moon?
listen), or Jupiter II, is the smallest of the four Galilean moons orbiting Jupiter, and the sixth-closest to the planet of all the 80 known moons of Jupiter. It is also the sixth-largest moon in the Solar System. … Europa has the smoothest surface of any known solid object in the Solar System.
Why do we care about Europa?
Why Europa is Important to the Search for Life. The search for life beyond Earth is one of NASA's primary objectives. If humans are to truly understand our place in the universe, we must learn whether our planet is the only place where life exists. So the search is on!
Why is Europa Clipper important?
Arriving in 2030, it is the first dedicated mission to explore a world besides Earth with a global ocean, known as an ocean world. By determining whether Europa has the right conditions for life, Europa Clipper will help us understand the prospects for life on other ocean worlds in our solar system and beyond.
Can Europa moon support life?
Europa's surface is blasted by radiation from Jupiter. That's a bad thing for life on the surface – it couldn't survive. But the radiation may create fuel for life in an ocean below the surface. The radiation splits apart water molecules (H2O, made of oxygen and hydrogen) in Europa's extremely tenuous atmosphere.
Which moon is most likely to support life?
The strongest candidates for natural satellite habitability are currently icy satellites such as those of Jupiter and Saturn—Europa and Enceladus respectively, although if life exists in either place, it would probably be confined to subsurface habitats.
What are 3 interesting facts about Europa?
Below are some more interesting facts about Europa:
- – Europa is named after a Phoenician noblewoman. …
- – Europa's surface is younger than the moon itself. …
- – Unprotected humans on Europa would die within a day. …
- – Europa has a liquid ocean under its crust. …
- – Europa may have twice as much water as Earth's oceans.
Why do scientists think that Europa could have life?
Scientists think that life may exist on Europa because there is evidence that liquid water may exist beneath its icy surface. … So, there may be lakes and oceans of liquid water on Europa. Water is a major requirement for life. If there is liquid water on Europa, there may be life.
Is Europa tidally locked?
Europa is tidally locked, so the same side faces Jupiter at all times. Size: Europa is 1,900 miles (3,100 km) in diameter, making it smaller than Earth's moon, but larger than Pluto. It is the smallest of the Galilean moons.