1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Jupiter's moon Europa may reveal conditions suitable for life

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by tochatihu, Sep 19, 2024.

  1. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2004
    9,156
    3,562
    0
    Location:
    Kunming Yunnan China
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Europa is a water glacial jumble bathed in x rays from Jupiter (I don't understand that), but possibly the most livable other spot in solar system.

    NASA's Europa Clipper will be launched Oct 10 (or so) on a Falcon Heavy. After about 2.5 years travel it will enter Europa orbit and improve on imagery provided by Galileo probe in 2003. Goals appear to be confirming existence of liquid water ocean down below, and spectroscopically identifying organic (carbon) molecules in the surface ice crust from Europa orbit.

    AC Clarke's 1984 sci fi novel had “All these worlds are yours. Except Europa. Attempt no landing there.” indicating that ET had special thoughts about Europa. This Clipper will not violate that although mission add ons considered would have.

    This mission has events en route that must go well, as all distant missions have. It will be a media thing in these years until somebody mounts a sample-return Mars mission.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sounds like a pleasant place to live