Analysis of Callisto’s moments of inertia, derived from Galileo’s gravity data, suggests that its structure is not fully differentiated.
Ganymede
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
Plasma and Thermal Processing Leading to Spatial and Temporal Variability of the Trapped O2 at Europa and Ganymede
We describe physical processes affecting the formation, trapping, and outgassing of molecular oxygen (O2) at Europa and Ganymede. Following Voyager measurements of their ambient plasmas, laboratory data indicated that the […]
Posted inGanymede, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Missions & Hardware, Radiation, Status Report
Ionosphere of Ganymede: Galileo Observations Versus Test Particle Simulation
In this paper, we model the plasma environment of Ganymede by means of a collisionless test particle simulation.
Posted inEuropa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
JUICE Astrobiology Mission Update
Since the beginning of the year, the downlink rate of Juice has been dropping dramatically to only 1/6th of usual data rate.
Posted inEnceladus, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Development of the Microfluidic Inorganic Conductivity Detector for Europa and the Solenoid-Based Actuator Assembly for Impact Penetrators
This study introduces an innovative in situ lander/impact-penetrator design tailored for Discovery-class missions to Europa, specifically focused on conducting astrobiological analyses.
Posted inAriel, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Ganymede, Ice Giant, Icy Worlds, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Miranda, Oberon, Status Report, Titania, Umbriel, Uranus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Detecting Planetary Oceans: Application To The Uranus System
The discovery of Europa’s subsurface ocean has spawned a strong desire by the planetary community to return and assess the ocean’s habitability using the magnetic induction signal that Europa generates.
Posted inEuropa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Europa Clipper Planetary Protection Probabilistic Risk Assessment Summary
Protecting Jupiter’s Icy Moons from the Earth’s biological contamination is a key consideration for the Europa Clipper mission. The mission’s goal is to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa, and investigate its […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Callisto, Cryobiology, Europa, Ganymede, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
LunaIcy: Exploring Europa’s Icy Surface Microstructure through Multiphysics Simulations
A multiphysics simulation model incorporating a sintering model coupled with the MultIHeaTS thermal solver was developed to study the evolution of icy moons’ microstructure.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Gas Giants, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Io, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Neptune, Saturn, Status Report, Titan, Uranus
Sulfur in the Giant Planets, their Moons, and Extrasolar Gas Giant Planets
We review sulfur chemistry of the gas giant planets and their moons where sulfur compounds are observed. The major S-bearing gas in the upper atmospheres of the giant planets is […]
Posted inCallisto, Europa, Ganymede, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiology.com on Deutsche Welle: Europa Clipper and ESA Juice
Editor’s note: I was just on Deutsche Welle talking about the Europa Clipper mission – as well as ESA’s Juice mission – and how they will work in tandem exploring […]