Spectrographic evidence suggests that the dark, reddish streaks and features on Europa’s surface may be rich in salts such as magnesium sulfate , deposited by evaporating water that emerged from within.
Why does Europa have red?
The startling colour is due to contaminating minerals rising from beneath the icy crust , possibly salts from the underground ocean. The regions of mottled red are chaotic terrain, parts of the moon’s surface with disrupted icy material that has been broken and shifted around.
Why does Europa look brown?
Along Europa’s many fractures, and in splotchy patterns across its surface, is a reddish-brown material whose composition is not known for certain, but likely contains salts and sulfur compounds that have been mixed with the water ice and modified by radiation.
Why is Europa special?
Europa is the smallest of the four but it is one of the more intriguing satellites. The surface of Europa is frozen , covered with a layer of ice, but scientists think there is an ocean beneath the surface. The icy surface also makes the moon one of the most reflective in the solar system.
Why does Europa glow?
As the electrons penetrate the moon’s surface , they energize the molecules underneath. According to the new study, published November 9, 2020, in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Astronomy, when those molecules relax, they release energy as visible light, making Europa glow in the dark.
Why are there cracks on Europa?
According to researcher Gregory Hoppa the curved cracks on Europa are caused by its orbit being slightly excentric due to the influence of Io and Ganymede (other moons of Jupiter). ... When Europa is farther, the tides fall because Jupiter’s force falls. This causes Europa’s ice shell to flex.”
What color is Ganymede?
While most of Ganymede is relatively brownish in color , possibly due to the contamination of the icy surface by meteoritic material, these polar frosts are more neutrally colored. Bright spots are fresh, young impact craters and their ejecta patterns.
Can we breathe on Europa?
Europa has a thin oxygen atmosphere, but it is far too tenuous for humans to breathe . ... Europa’s magnetic field shields its surface from Jupiter’s deadly radiation.
Can we live on Titan?
Although there is so far no evidence of life on Titan , its complex chemistry and unique environments are certain to make it a destination for continued exploration.
Does Europa have oxygen?
Europa does have an atmosphere, although tenuous. This atmosphere is composed solely of oxygen . Unlike our atmosphere, the oxygen in Europa’s atmosphere is likely not produced biologically. Europa’s atmosphere is maintained by charged particles that hit its cold surface and produce water vapor.
How cold is it on Europa?
Europa’s surface temperature averages about 110 K (−160 °C; −260 °F) at the equator and only 50 K (−220 °C; −370 °F) at the poles, keeping Europa’s icy crust as hard as granite.
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.
Can we land on Europa?
Landing sites
At Europa, it would have to land on the surface , matching its velocity, but with essentially no atmosphere there is no “entry”, it is just a descent and landing. The Planetary Society noted that NASA called this DDL — de-orbit, descent, and landing.
Can we live on Saturn?
While planet Saturn is an unlikely place for living things to take hold , the same is not true of some of its many moons. Satellites like Enceladus and Titan, home to internal oceans, could possibly support life.
Does Europa have radiation?
Environment. The high radiation in Europa’s atmosphere is one of the environmental challenges to colonization. Europa receives 5.4 Sv (540 rem) of radiation per day , which is approximately 1,800 times the average annual dose experienced by a human on Earth at sea level.
Can humans live in Jupiter?
While planet Jupiter is an unlikely place for living things to take hold , the same is not true of some of its many moons. Europa is one of the likeliest places to find life elsewhere in our solar system. There is evidence of a vast ocean just beneath its icy crust, where life could possibly be supported.
