Scientists detect potential subsurface lakes on Europa
Posted: Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 7:03 AM ET (1203 GMT)
Planetary scientists have discovered what they believe to be a lake of water below the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. Scientists modeled regions of Europa called "chaos terrains", which are circular features with jumbled surface features. They believes these features are formed by lakes of salty liquid water just a few kilometers below the surface that seep up and break up the icy surface into the rough blocks seen in the chaos terrains. The existence of the lakes is inferred from the surface observations and the scientists' model, and confirmation of their existence would require a future mission to Europa that could probe the moon's interior. If the lakes do exist, they may bolster the prospects of life there by providing a means to mix organic compounds on the surface with a deeper subsurface ocean.
Planetary scientists have discovered what they believe to be a lake of water below the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. Scientists modeled regions of Europa called "chaos terrains", which are circular features with jumbled surface features. They believes these features are formed by lakes of salty liquid water just a few kilometers below the surface that seep up and break up the icy surface into the rough blocks seen in the chaos terrains. The existence of the lakes is inferred from the surface observations and the scientists' model, and confirmation of their existence would require a future mission to Europa that could probe the moon's interior. If the lakes do exist, they may bolster the prospects of life there by providing a means to mix organic compounds on the surface with a deeper subsurface ocean.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Vast signs contract with SpaceX for ISS private astronaut missions
Posted: Sat, Dec 21 11:59 AM ET (1659 GMT) Avio signs ESA contracts for Vega upgrades and Earth science satellite launch
Posted: Sat, Dec 21 11:57 AM ET (1657 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, December 23
Isro to launch 24 experiments to space with PSLV Spadex mission
India Today — 7:16 am ET (1216 GMT) Experimental payloads developed by Karnataka-based academia and start-ups to be launched in ISRO upcoming mission
The Hindu — 7:15 am ET (1215 GMT) ISRO to conduct experiments on growing plants in space
The Tribune (India) — 7:15 am ET (1215 GMT) Isro PSLV-C60 Spadex mission: When will it launch and how to watch it
India Today — 7:13 am ET (1213 GMT) NASA probe to fly closer to the Sun than ever before
Axios — 7:12 am ET (1212 GMT) |
