Seen in opposition to the backdrop of Jupiter’s dramatic, swirling ambiance, Europa would possibly at first seem a bit drab. With its greyish-white floor, you would possibly even say it resembles a well-worn cue ball in a run-down pool corridor. On nearer inspection, nonetheless, the Jovian system’s fourth-largest moon is shimmering with intrigue from deep inside.
From what we are able to inform, its icy outer layer conceals an unlimited international ocean containing twice the quantity of water on Earth. This, along with hints of geophysical exercise – such because the rusty traces that streak its floor – and complicated chemistry, is why Europa has lengthy captivated astronomers trying to find liveable worlds past our pale blue dot. So might Europa have the situations for all times? We’re about to seek out out.
In October, NASA will launch Europa Clipper, a $5 billion probe that may get a better take a look at the moon’s geology and chemistry – and, with a bit of luck, establish the telltale signatures of habitability. The mission has been a long time within the making, constructing on earlier forays which have thrown up tantalising clues as to what lurks contained in the moon’s frozen shell – and no scarcity of questions.
Clipper guarantees solutions. It would examine the moon’s floor and the ocean hidden beneath in unprecedented element. It might even pattern the water in plumes of vapour if, as we suspect, they’re erupting from Europa’s floor. And though it isn’t designed to seek out direct proof of life – a bacterial cell, say – latest developments recommend there’s a fleeting probability it might do precisely that. “With Europa Clipper, we’re actually getting into…
