Jupiter's moon Europa has long been shortlisted among scientists as one of our solar system's most promising locations to search for life – or, at least, the conditions that could support it.
But a new study has cast doubt on the idea that the intriguing world shrouded in ice could indeed harbor extraterrestrial life deep in its vast ocean of liquid saltwater.
By studying the moon's size, the chemical makeup of its rocky core and the gravitational forces at work from the gas giant Jupiter, a team of scientists came to a conclusion that may be dispiriting to those searching for life beyond Earth. Europa, they say, likely lacks the underwater geologic activity that would be necessary for life.
That could be unwelcome news for NASA, which in 2024 sent a spacecraft on a years-long journey to investigate the moon for signs that life could thrive beneath its icy surface.
whether it does or doesn't its still good to actually look. We need to start looking at all the possible locations for life that we think life could arise to start being able to see if it is indeed common or not.
There is of course other good reasons to study space objects, but finding life is definitely an exciting one.
Also there is a lot of mights. It might not have active geology at the bottom of the ocean, which might mean that there isn't a lot of cycling of new elements, which might mean that it isn't ideal for life.
We can only know more by looking. And we are! So yay!
with the amount of geological activity from tidal forces on Io, the closest Galilean moon, I can't imagine the tidal forces on Europa, the 2nd closest, aren't enough for at least some deep sea vents.
Yup, Enceladus has been a much better bet for a while now. We could have started spending more effort in that direction a decade ago, instead of endless Mars probes
Years ago, NASA astrobiologist Chris McKay was advocating for an Enceladus sample return mission (probe fly through the geysers, collect samples, send them home). He admitted it would be an expensive and long duration mission.
I’ve also heard ideas of sending a lander near the tiger stripes (the place the geysers emanating from) to grab some of the snow falling back from the geysers and do on-board tests on those samples.
From the press release: "Europa likely lacks the tectonic motion, warm hydrothermal vents or any other sort of underwater geologic activity that would presumably be a prerequisite for life."
The word "presumably" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. So is the assumption that the computer model is based on good assumptions
Jupiter's moon Europa has long been shortlisted among scientists as one of our solar system's most promising locations to search for life – or, at least, the conditions that could support it.
But a new study has cast doubt on the idea that the intriguing world shrouded in ice could indeed harbor extraterrestrial life deep in its vast ocean of liquid saltwater.
By studying the moon's size, the chemical makeup of its rocky core and the gravitational forces at work from the gas giant Jupiter, a team of scientists came to a conclusion that may be dispiriting to those searching for life beyond Earth. Europa, they say, likely lacks the underwater geologic activity that would be necessary for life.
That could be unwelcome news for NASA, which in 2024 sent a spacecraft on a years-long journey to investigate the moon for signs that life could thrive beneath its icy surface.
whether it does or doesn't its still good to actually look. We need to start looking at all the possible locations for life that we think life could arise to start being able to see if it is indeed common or not.
There is of course other good reasons to study space objects, but finding life is definitely an exciting one.
Also there is a lot of mights. It might not have active geology at the bottom of the ocean, which might mean that there isn't a lot of cycling of new elements, which might mean that it isn't ideal for life.
We can only know more by looking. And we are! So yay!
with the amount of geological activity from tidal forces on Io, the closest Galilean moon, I can't imagine the tidal forces on Europa, the 2nd closest, aren't enough for at least some deep sea vents.
All that means is that life as currently known is unlikely on Europa.
May or may not have earth-like life - still worth checking out to learn more.
Enceladus seems a more likely place, but it's also a lot farther away for a space mission.
Is it Snowing Microbes on Enceladus?
Diamond in the Dark - Enceladus, Saturn’s tiny moon, is a beacon for planetary scientists.
Yup, Enceladus has been a much better bet for a while now. We could have started spending more effort in that direction a decade ago, instead of endless Mars probes
Years ago, NASA astrobiologist Chris McKay was advocating for an Enceladus sample return mission (probe fly through the geysers, collect samples, send them home). He admitted it would be an expensive and long duration mission.
I’ve also heard ideas of sending a lander near the tiger stripes (the place the geysers emanating from) to grab some of the snow falling back from the geysers and do on-board tests on those samples.
From the press release: "Europa likely lacks the tectonic motion, warm hydrothermal vents or any other sort of underwater geologic activity that would presumably be a prerequisite for life."
The word "presumably" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. So is the assumption that the computer model is based on good assumptions
Until you go under the ice you won’t know 100% unless you taste a water spout or spray on the surface
No purple giant octopi then?