On 17 November 2023, ESA’s Juice spacecraft carried out one of the largest and most important manoeuvres in its eight-year journey to Jupiter.
Io
![Compositional evolution of lava planets interiors from an initial homogeneous molten state. Chemical fractionation occurs during planetary solidification because rock-forming elements do not have the same affinities for liquid and solid phases. For instance, FeO prefers to remain in the liquid rather than being incorporated in the solids. (a and b) Initial conditions. The magma ocean is well mixed and nearly entirely molten. The composition of the magma ocean corresponds to the bulk planet’s composition, i.e., 6% of FeO (BSE composition). This is the global magma ocean stage. (c and d) Onset of the mushy stage. The MO crystal fraction is about 50%. Iron-rich solids accumulate in the deep mantle. The most liquid part of the planet shows a FeO content of 10%. (e-f) End of the mushy stage. The FeO concentration of the MO reaches its maximum, 12%. (g-h) Solid-state stage. The iron-rich shallow magma ocean has been buried in the deep mantle. The day-side shallow magma ocean has a concentration of about about 2%. The solid mantle is strongly layered. Iron-rich solids remelts to form a basal magma ocean. -- astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lava-planets.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Io, Status Report
Lava Planets Interior Dynamics Govern The Long-term Evolution Of Their Magma Oceans
Lava planets are rocky exoplanets that orbit so close to their host star that their day-side is hot enough to melt silicate rock. Their short orbital periods ensure that lava […]
Posted inCallisto, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Io, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
Source Of Radio Emissions Induced By The Galilean Moons Io, Europa and Ganymede: in situ Measurements By Juno
At Jupiter, part of the auroral radio emissions are induced by the Galilean moons Io, Europa and Ganymede. Until now, except for Ganymede, they have been only remotely detected, using […]
Posted inCallisto, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Io, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
Combining Astrometry and JUICE — Europa Clipper Radio Science To Improve The Ephemerides Of The Galilean Moons
The upcoming JUICE and Europa Clipper missions to Jupiter’s Galilean satellites will provide radio science tracking measurements of both spacecraft. Such data are expected to significantly help estimating the moons’ […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Io, Press Release
Webb Telescope Offers New Views Of Ganymede And Io
With its sensitive infrared cameras and high-resolution spectrometer, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is revealing new secrets of Jupiter’s Galilean satellites, in particular Ganymede, the largest moon, and Io, […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Callisto, Europa, Ganymede, Gas Giants, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Io, Jupiter, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Jupiter Science Enabled by ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) will provide a detailed investigation of the Jovian system in the 2030s, combining a suite of state-of-the-art instruments with an orbital tour tailored to […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Callisto, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Io, Jupiter, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Introducing Juice’s Odyssey Of Exploration – And Astrobiology
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, is humanity’s next bold mission to the outer Solar System.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Io, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release
Spectroscopic Mapping Of Io’s Surface With HST/STIS: SO2 Frost, Sulfur allotropes, And Large-scale Compositional Patterns
Io’s intense volcanic activity results in one of the most colorful surfaces in the solar system. Ultraviolet and visible-wavelength observations of Io are critical to uncovering the chemistry behind its […]
Posted inEpsilon Eridani, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Io, Press Release
Using Radio Waves to Detect Exomoons
Scientists hunting for life beyond Earth have discovered more than 1,800 planets outside our solar system, or exoplanets, in recent years, but so far, no one has been able to […]