The red streaks crisscrossing the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, are striking. Scientists suspect it is a frozen mixture of water and salts, but its chemical signature is […]
Europa
Posted inCallisto, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
The Optical Aurorae of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto
The tenuous atmospheres of the Galilean satellites are sourced from their surfaces and produced by a combination of plasma-surface interactions and thermal processes. Though thin, these atmospheres can be studied […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Callisto, Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mimas, Pluto, Press Release, Triton
Spectroscopic Detection of Biosignatures in Natural Ice Samples as a Proxy for Icy Moons
Some of the icy moons of the solar system with a subsurface ocean, such as Europa and Enceladus, are the targets of future space missions that search for potential extraterrestrial […]
Posted inEuropa, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
In-situ Detection Of Europa’s Water Plumes Is Harder Than Previously Thought
Europa’s subsurface ocean is a potential candidate for life in the outer solar system. It is thought that plumes may exist which eject ocean material out into space, which may […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Meet The Team Simulating Europa’s Surface — On Earth
Europa Clipper’s main science goal is to determine whether there are places below the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa that could support life.
Posted inEuropa, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Modeling Virus and Bacteria Populations in Europa’s Subsurface Ocean
The search for life in the universe is often informed by the study of “extreme” environments on Earth, which provide analogs for habitable locations in the Solar System, and whose […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microgravity, Status Report
Toward Detecting Biosignatures of DNA, Lipids, and Metabolic Intermediates from Bacteria in Ice Grains Emitted by Enceladus and Europa
The reliable identification of biosignatures is key to the search for life elsewhere.
Posted inEuropa, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Assembly Of Europa Clipper Astrobiology Spacecraft’s Solar Arrays
This image shows the solar array “wings” for NASA’s Europa Clipper in the cleanroom of Airbus in Leiden, the Netherlands, where the solar array wings are being assembled.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Early Stages Of Galilean Moon Formation In A Water-depleted Environment
A key feature of the Galilean satellite system is its monotonic decrease in bulk density with distance from Jupiter, indicating an ice mass fraction
Posted inEnceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Sending Signals To Droids Through The Ice On Ocean Worlds
Detection of extraterrestrial life would be an incredible discovery, revolutionizing humanity’s perception of life and providing us insight into how life begins and persists in various environments.