The measurements suggested to scientists that electrically conductive fluid, likely a salty ocean beneath Europa’s ice layer, was
causing the magnetic disturbances
. When researchers analyzed the magnetic disturbances more closely in 2018, they found evidence of possible plumes.
What is the evidence for some liquid water pockets under the surface of Europa?
One of the most significant discoveries was the inference of
a global salt water ocean below the surface of Europa
. This ocean is deep enough to cover the whole surface of Europa and contains more liquid water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. However, being far from the sun, the ocean surface is completely frozen.
How do we know Europa has liquid water?
From ground-based telescopes, scientists knew that Europa’s surface is mostly water ice, and scientists have found strong evidence that
beneath the ice crust
is an ocean of liquid water or slushy ice.
Can liquid water exist on Europa?
Earth is the only known planet to have bodies of liquid water on its surface.
Europa is thought to have subsurface liquid water
. Scientists hypothesize that Europa’s hidden ocean is salty, tidal, and causes its ice surface to move, resulting in large fractures which are clearly visible in the above image.
What is the evidence for some liquid water pockets under the surface of Europa and why is this interesting to scientists searching for extraterrestrial life?
A liquid-
water ocean hides under the frozen surface of Saturn’s moon Enceladus
, new evidence confirms. The presence of this water boosts Enceladus’ ranking among the top places in the solar system to look for extraterrestrial life, scientists say.
Can we breathe on Europa?
Europa has a thin oxygen atmosphere, but
it is far too tenuous for humans to breathe
. From the surface of Europa, Jupiter appears 24 times larger than the moon appears in our sky. Europa’s magnetic field shields its surface from Jupiter’s deadly radiation.
Is Earth the only planet with life?
The third planet from the sun, Earth is the only place in the known universe confirmed to host life. With a radius of 3,959 miles, Earth is the fifth largest planet in our solar system, and it’s the only one known for sure to have liquid water on its surface. …
Earth is the only planet known to maintain life
.
Is there liquid water on Titan?
Titan is far colder than Earth, but of all the places in the solar system,
Titan is the only place besides Earth known to have liquids in the form of rivers, lakes and seas on its surface
.
Does Jupiter’s moon have water?
For the first time, astronomers have uncovered evidence of
water vapor
in the atmosphere of Jupiter’s moon Ganymede. … Previous research has offered circumstantial evidence that Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system, contains more water than all of Earth’s oceans.
How deep is the water on Europa?
Europa’s possible ocean is estimated to be
100-200km deep
. Despite the great depth of the Europa’s ocean, hydrostatic pressure at the seafloor would be 130-260 MPa, corresponding to 13-26 km depth of a theoretical Earth’s ocean.
Does Europa have oxygen?
Europa does have an atmosphere, although tenuous.
This atmosphere is composed solely of oxygen
. … The water vapor splits into oxygen and hydrogen; the hydrogen then escapes from the atmosphere leaving only oxygen behind.
Can a planet be made of water?
An ocean world, ocean planet, water world, aquaplanet, or panthalassic planet is a type of
terrestrial planet
that contains a substantial amount of water as hydrosphere on its surface or as a subsurface ocean.
What is the most habitable moon?
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.
Is there any evidence of water on Saturn?
There is water, but not very much
. … For example, Saturn’s moon Enceladus is thought to have a mantle rich in water ice, surrounding a silicate core. Geysers of water vapor were detected by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, spraying out of cracks at Enceladus’ southern pole.
What is the evidence for some liquid water pockets under the surface of Enceladus?
The type of evidence for liquid water on Enceladus is very different from what we’ve seen at Jupiter’s moon Europa. On Europa the evidence from surface geological features points to an internal ocean. On Enceladus the evidence is
direct observation of water vapor venting from sources close to the surface
,” said Dr.
Can we live on Europa?
Europa, the fourth-largest moon of Jupiter, is a subject in both science fiction and scientific speculation for future human colonization. Europa’s geophysical features, including a possible subglacial water ocean, make it a possibility that human life could be sustained on
or beneath the surface
.
