For several years, scientists have believed that liquid water may lie beneath
the icy surfaces JupiterÂs moons Europa,
Callisto
and Ganymede.
However, new research conducted by Christopher
England of NASAÂs Jet Propulsion Laboratory suggests that subsurface oceans
may be more common than previously thought. According to England, many distant
bodies in our solar system could theoretically support such oceans: SaturnÂs moons
Titan
and Rhea,
Uranus moons Titania
and Oberon,
NeptuneÂs moon Triton,
the planet Pluto,
and even Varuna,
one of the largest
known objects in the Kuiper
Belt. England estimates that radiation at the core of these bodies may be
enough to melt a layer of liquid water below their frozen exteriors. Liquid water
is believed by astrobiologists to be a prerequisite
for life. If EnglandÂs hypothesis is correct, it could point to many more
locations for possible life in our solar system than previously suspected. However,
his theory is by no means widely accepted at this point; most astrobiologists
regard these planetary bodies beyond Jupiter as very
unlikely to harbor life.
Oct 11, 2002 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Boost for Life on Jupiter Moon
(BBC) - New observations made by the Galileo spacecraft may strengthen the argument for life on Europa.
Dec 04, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Ocean Inside Jupiter's Moon Callisto May Have Cushioned Big Impact
(NASA) - A recent image from NASA's Galileo spacecraft adds evidence that Callisto may hold an underground ocean.
Apr 13, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Focus on Europa
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - Scientists from a variety of disciplines met recently to consider the possibility of life on Europa, and to plan how to look for it.
Mar 16, 2001 | TECHNOLOGIES
Ice probe reveals images deep within Antarctic ice
(NASA) - The technology may one day be used to explore other planets.
Mar 16, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Through Thick or Thin: Exploring Europa's Outer Layer of Ice
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - When NASA's Galileo spacecraft sent back images and data of the Jovian moon Europa, scientists began thinking seriously that life just might exist on this enigmatic, frozen world.
Mar 09, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Ganymede's liquid past
(NASA) - Long swaths of bright, flat terrain on the surface of Jupiter's icy moon Ganymede may testify that water or slush emerged there about a billion years ago, say planetary scientists.
Feb 08, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Possibilities for life on Europa
(Space.com) - Researchers met last week to consider the likelihood of life on Jupiter's moon Europa.
Feb 02, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Jovian moons
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - Jupiter's four largest moons were discovered by Galileo in 1610. Three of them might hold oceans of liquid water beneath their icy exteriors. Liquid water is a prerequisite for life.
Aug 25, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Strong evidence of ocean of water on Europa
(NASA) - Magnetic readings from the Galileo space probe provide the latest indication of liquid water under the thick ice of this moon of Jupiter.
Aug 22, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Galileo returning data on Ganymede and Europa
(Spaceflight Now/NASA) - Measurements of Ganymede's magnetic field may indicate whether there is an ocean of water beneath its surface.
Aug 10, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Scientists uncover evidence of tidal squeezing on Europa
(space.com) - Images show folds where Europa's icy crust has been compressed by tidal forces from Jupiter.
Jun 08, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Cracks in Europa's ice may create habitat for life
(space.com) - As icebergs slide past each other, friction may melt ice. The liquid water might provide a habitat for living organisms.
Sep 19, 1999 | SCIENCE
Water: an astrobiologist's pointing dog
(space.com) - Scientists generally believe that the limitations of the laws of chemistry mean that liquid water is necessary for life.
Sep 18, 1999 | SCIENCE
More evidence of ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa
(Astronomy Now) - Researchers say that curving cracks in Europa's icy surface indicate the presence of an ocean of liquid water underneath.
Sep 17, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Spacecraft search for solar system's oases
(space.com) - A variety of missions are planned to search for water elsewhere in the solar system. Liquid water is believed to be necessary for life.
Sep 09, 1999 | SCIENCE
Divining water on Europa
(Science@NASA) - NASA scientists are analyzing data from an ingenious experiment to find hexagonal ice crystals on the surface of Europa. If they succeed, it could greatly strengthen the case that underground water on this moon of Jupiter.
Aug 27, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
New Europa images may be further evidence of ocean
(NASA) - Two dark, reddish regions on this moon of Jupiter suggest that its icy surface may have melted through from an ocean below. Alternatively, warm ice may have welled up from below and disrupted the surface.
Oct 23, 1998 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Signs of water on Callisto
(Science@NASA) - Scientists may have discovered a salty ocean and some ingredients for life on Jupiter's moon.
