New information from the “Juno” probe refined the thickness of Jupiter’s moon’s ice sheet and showed that its fissures are too small for exchange with the ocean beneath the ice.
The ice shell of Jupiter’s satellite Europa, whose thickness considerably exceeds Earth’s Antarctic glaciers, is a primary target for astrobiological studies. Fresh data, gathered by the “Juno” spacecraft, permitted refinement of its structure and evaluation of the prospects for finding extraterrestrial life beneath it.
In September 2022, “Juno” executed a close approach to Europa and scanned its icy crust using a microwave radiometer. Analysis of the thermal radiation revealed structural irregularities within it. The study indicated that the ice sheet’s average thickness measures approximately 29 kilometers, with potential variations of 10 kilometers.
Scholars confirmed the presence of cracks and pores penetrating deep into the ice for hundreds of meters. However, the dimensions of these features generally do not surpass a few centimeters in width, which, in the researchers’ view, is insufficient for active substance exchange between the surface and the subglacial ocean.
Experts note that this does not rule out the possibility of life existing. As explained by Dr. Steve Levin of the California Institute of Technology, other mechanisms might exist sustaining hypothetical ecosystems. Specifically, warmth from radioactive decay could offer an energy source for organisms within the icy depths.
To obtain more precise figures, the Europa Clipper mission will depart for Europa in 2024. It is anticipated that the craft will reach the satellite’s orbit by 2030 and conduct thorough investigations that will aid in assessing the potential for life on Europa as well as on other icy bodies in the Solar System.
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