If an ocean exists below the icy surface of Europa, then life might be living there. (964 hits)
Category: Science & EnvironmentalRating: 1.52 on 58 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Merlina (View user info) at 2007-09-27 13:35:44 EDT
Scientists have been looking at the other planets in our solar system for signs of biological evidence of life for many years, and found that in the giant plants, this was if not impossible, but pretty bloody unlikely.
Then they turned their attentions to the planets satellites, which they believed were worth considering, as some are as large or equal to the Earth's moon. The most likely were Titan and Europa.
Europa is the sixth nearest and fourth largest natural satellite of Jupiter, which is in orbit 670,900 km from the large planet itself and is comprised mostly of silicate rock. This was studied by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1979 and was found to be 'as smooth as a babies bum' and its surface crust was a layer of water ice.
(It has been noted that the satellite cannot be made of compete water ice as the density of Europa, at 3040 kg m-3, is far greater than that if just ice).
The recent Galileo mission has provided us with information that we have so far on Europa, particularly that of the likelihood of liquid water being present in the satellites history!
Europa has strong albedo features as its icy surface reflects from the sun. It was also noted that there are fractures which criss-cross the satellite. These markings are believed to be caused by tidal forces under the ice, gravitational pull from Jupiter and signs of cryovolcanism - volcanoes erupting water, ammonia or methane. The conclusion was made that the ice crust is being continuously renewed from underneath its surface by warmer liquid water. Meaning that life could possibly exist as it did, and does, on Earth. I want to know if this is true!
Studies were carried out of the possibilities of there being a thin layer of ice but this was discounted as this would mean that the rocky surface would easily break this layer with minor impacts.
The possibility of there being a layer of liquid water under the ice is a study that has been going on for quite some time. Water, being one of the main constituents for life, would show a potential for terrestrial life being maintained underneath its icy exterior. Other constituents of course, being energy needed to build the molecules, the chemicals needed to assemble the living cells and light.
However, some organisms can live without light and can live on the ocean floor. Deep in the Earth's oceans, there are organisms that can live without solar electromagnetic radiation. These thermophiles (heat-lovers) live on the ocean floor near the hydrothermal vents which produce sulfur and hydrogen compounds, under high water pressures, making it certainly possible that organisms could also live in the subsurface conditions of Europa...
The most successful way to actually find out the information needed to see if there actually is life under the subsurface of Europas' icy crust would be for a probe to be sent there, and to have it penetrate the surface.
The probe would be deployed from an orbiting spacecraft with a timer set to start up the batteries just before its landing on Europa. Plutonium would be used to supply enough heat for the probe to survive the cold atmosphere. Once landed records & photos could be taken of the surface. Whether or not the probe will be able to penetrate or melt through the crust is sadly, as yet, unknown.
The likelihood of this being mission being carried out successfully will not be an easy one. Europas' surface is believed to be approx 19 m thick which would make it incredibly difficult for the probe to penetrate or melt through the surface into the subsurface levels. Records would need to be taken of the chemical nature of the ice itself and of the liquid water below (if there is any).
Although Europa is of high scientific interest, it was state as recently as 2007 that no mission is currently being planned.
I want to go.
I want to be one of the first people to find out.
There MIGHT be life... Okay only organisms and all that but anyway... we were once just little bits of bacteria.......
Who's coming with me?
User Reviews
Submitted by ih8u2man (user info) at 2007-10-04 21:28:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by NintendoCzar (user info) at 2007-09-30 08:00:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
hm, depends.. Can I take my DS with me?
Submitted by Antil (user info) at 2007-09-29 14:40:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Maybe so.
I guess being an Irish WOMAN its allowed.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No. Definitely not. Tourists maybe. If an Irish lass spoke like that when offering or recieving a tot of the fine stuff, would feel the brunt of the bottle on her heeed.</end stereotype>.
P.S Europa is cool (get it?) hmmmmff
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2007-09-29 14:31:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'll come but I'd have to be back in time to put the baby to bed.
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2007-09-29 13:34:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ahhh to be sure to be sure.
*jumps around like a little leprachaun*
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-29 13:22:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Antil (user info) at 2007-09-29 12:20:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-29 12:03:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-09-29 09:01:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-28 01:44:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Umm. I'm not British though....
__________________
Ok, fine. Just replace "British" with "Irish" and "cuppa" with "whiskey (or Guiness)". Still works.
~~~~~~
Yeah, I'll take that. Only it'd be..
"Fancy a whiskey ya feckin' eejit?"
"Ahh grand! Just give me the bottle"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No self-respecting Irishman would talk like that.
~~~~~~~~~~
Maybe so.
I guess being an Irish WOMAN its allowed.
Submitted by Antil (user info) at 2007-09-29 12:20:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-29 12:03:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-09-29 09:01:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-28 01:44:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Umm. I'm not British though....
__________________
Ok, fine. Just replace "British" with "Irish" and "cuppa" with "whiskey (or Guiness)". Still works.
~~~~~~
Yeah, I'll take that. Only it'd be..
"Fancy a whiskey ya feckin' eejit?"
"Ahh grand! Just give me the bottle"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No self-respecting Irishman would talk like that.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-29 12:03:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-09-29 09:01:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-28 01:44:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Umm. I'm not British though....
__________________
Ok, fine. Just replace "British" with "Irish" and "cuppa" with "whiskey (or Guiness)". Still works.
~~~~~~
Yeah, I'll take that. Only it'd be..
"Fancy a whiskey ya feckin' eejit?"
"Ahh grand! Just give me the bottle"
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-09-29 09:01:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-28 01:44:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Umm. I'm not British though....
__________________
Ok, fine. Just replace "British" with "Irish" and "cuppa" with "whiskey (or Guiness)". Still works.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2007-09-28 10:31:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2007-09-28 09:31:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
wait.....terrestrial life ?
hmm, okay so google says I'm wrong, terra isn't just earth but any rocky planet....+1 for the rarity value of me being wrong
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-09-28 08:37:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2007-09-28 00:51:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I know you are planning on disconnecting me, Dave.
-----------------------------------------
Moi? Disconncet YOU? No, I could never! Everyone needs a forensic girl in their colony! =)
Submitted by Coyote (user info) at 2007-09-28 08:23:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
They say the same thing about Canada!
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2007-09-28 07:19:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
No Comment
Submitted by Respek (user info) at 2007-09-28 02:42:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
you squeeze that shit picture out of Bryce 5?
I used to play with Bryce all the time. Then I grew a pair. Now I eat people who play with Bryce. Circle of life.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-28 01:44:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-09-27 17:34:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:38:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I know its not NEW news - but I think its interesting and more people should know about it so they can make NASA pay up (which they won't at the moment).
_________________________
Oooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Isn't that just like you Britishers with your tea and your crumpets and your queen worship?
"Here's a right interesting scientific question right here!"
"Tough one too. How do you work out the telemetry on something 670,900km out that you plan on getting under a 19m thick sheet of ice?"
"No clue, but I bet it's expensive."
"Yeah, let's get NASA to sort it out...and pick up the check!"
"HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa! Silly Colonials, with their money and their rockets!"
"Fancy a cuppa?"
"Of course!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
hahahaha
Brilliant!
Umm. I'm not British though....
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2007-09-28 00:51:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hahahah @ below
My God! It's full of stars!
and
I know you are planning on disconnecting me, Dave.
Submitted by Flack (user info) at 2007-09-27 22:49:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS EXCEPT EUROPA
ATTEMPT NO LANDING THERE
USE THEM TOGETHER
USE THEM IN PEACE
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2007-09-27 21:23:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Take me with you!
I'm kicking myself for not getting a dual degree (I ALMOST went into physics).
It's stuff like this that just bakes my cookies!
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-09-27 18:59:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:37:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm not capable of reading today, because I'm sick as fuck,
but +2 for neat picture and because you're super nice.
People don't say the word "super" enough.
That's basically my problem with society.
-----
ghola, if you had what I had, you'll be right as rain after 14 poops in 6 hours and a good night's rest.
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-09-27 17:34:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:38:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I know its not NEW news - but I think its interesting and more people should know about it so they can make NASA pay up (which they won't at the moment).
_________________________
Oooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Isn't that just like you Britishers with your tea and your crumpets and your queen worship?
"Here's a right interesting scientific question right here!"
"Tough one too. How do you work out the telemetry on something 670,900km out that you plan on getting under a 19m thick sheet of ice?"
"No clue, but I bet it's expensive."
"Yeah, let's get NASA to sort it out...and pick up the check!"
"HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa! Silly Colonials, with their money and their rockets!"
"Fancy a cuppa?"
"Of course!"
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2007-09-27 16:48:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2007-09-27 16:48:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Count me in.
Submitted by whiskey_jack (user info) at 2007-09-27 16:47:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Admit it you just want to be the first to get it on with an alien! Space vixens!
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 16:37:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-09-27 15:14:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Will there be Guinness?
~~~~~~
If you're with me.???
come on!
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 16:37:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by triangle_man (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:47:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I worked for 20 years at JPL. voyager, hubble WFPIC, magellan, galileo, cassini, pathfinder, spirit/opportunity, and a bunch of stuff
It makes me crazy when you talk like that....oh yeah
~~~~~~~~
wow..
cassini fascinates me too.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-09-27 15:14:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
that's my favourite Ultravox album
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2007-09-27 15:14:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
finally a topic i can excitedly discuss, but alas, the strike is over.
hi-ho hi-ho back to the mechanical jungle i go.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-09-27 15:14:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Will there be Guinness?
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:48:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
YOU THINK THEY TAKE THE EURO?
ROFLCOPTER! I KILL ME!
Submitted by triangle_man (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:47:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I worked for 20 years at JPL. voyager, hubble WFPIC, magellan, galileo, cassini, pathfinder, spirit/opportunity, and a bunch of stuff
It makes me crazy when you talk like that....oh yeah
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:35:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i'm willing to go if they let me bring ice skates.
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:34:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ugg, keyboard batteries.
i meant, I was anticipating the show as much as reality tv disiciples jones for those type of shows.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:32:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
oh and its Titon.
Triton is one of the satellites but not much interest in that one..
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:29:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yeah they had a big 2 hour special about lake Vostok fw years ago. I saw the previews and jonee t ee i the way mot people jones for he next Survivor or American Idol premiere
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:29:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:27:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:25:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i've been watching all kinds of stuff on discovery science channel about this for years.
it's awesome.
do you know about lake Vostok?(sp)
~~~~
Actually it was reading about that this morning that started this post... amazing stuff.
Amazing.
signed..
Fellow Science geek.
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:25:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i've been watching all kinds of stuff on discovery science channel about this for years.
it's awesome.
do you know about lake Vostok?(sp)
its a huge totally preserved freshwater lake under the ice on our own planet.
they are trying to find a way to send probes down there as a test run for europa. they can't figure out how to do it without contamination. there could be life down there pure and living in it's own isolated eco system.
there is also titan, or triton(i get them mixed up) another ice moon they think has oceans under the ice, primarily methane. There is possibly microscopic life there as well living by chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis. Just like the thermal vents in our oceans. life flourishes there in a totally toxic environment.
yeah, i'm a science geek.
Submitted by ChaosJester (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:17:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm glad to see that others have looked to the stars and dreamed.
...
To answer your question, I'd voluntarily lop off all of my extremities if that's what it took to go.
I might draw the line at reproductive organs, though.
Maybe.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:11:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:57:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
There's an easy way to get the probes through the ice and into the sub-surface water: Send CT and Merlina to the landing site a few hours early and just let hot monkey love do the rest. It's thermodynamics and it works, bitches.
-----------------------------------------
MONKEY? Please. My resemblance is far more similar to that of an orangutan.
_________________________________________________________________________
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:58:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm game!!!
um...whoops, sorry Bloke...
-----------------------------------------
*blushes*
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:11:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I will bring the camembert! And wine, and crackers, and cashews. It pays to be well-equipped when undertaking epic voyages.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:10:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I"M NOT READING ALL THAT!!!
Submitted by DirtyHarry (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:08:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've always wanted to back-pack through Europa.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:05:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:05:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ooh, can I come?
~~~~
Sure, bring cheese.... a good camembert.
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-09-27 14:05:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ooh, can I come?
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:58:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm game!!!
um...whoops, sorry Bloke...
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:57:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I think it'd be highly cool go there. Read '2010' for interesting science-based artist's representations of what might be found.
There's an easy way to get the probes through the ice and into the sub-surface water: Send CT and Merlina to the landing site a few hours early and just let hot monkey love do the rest. It's thermodynamics and it works, bitches.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:54:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by jamowilly40 (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:53:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Isn't that a U2 album or something?
~~~
The pic? No I don't think so. I'd use it though.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:53:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by jamowilly40 (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:53:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Isn't that a U2 album or something?
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:44:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:42:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'll go, if we can start our own colony and call it Merthorlina.
~~~~
that would ROCK
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:42:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'll go, if we can start our own colony and call it Merthorlina.
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:41:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
They've already found bacteria inside meteorites.
Submitted by Rhymenocerous (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:40:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i'll ride shotgun.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:39:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
aw hon you're sick?
If I was there I'd be making you comfort food and massaging your toes.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:38:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I know its not NEW news - but I think its interesting and more people should know about it so they can make NASA pay up (which they won't at the moment).
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:37:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm not capable of reading today, because I'm sick as fuck,
but +2 for neat picture and because you're super nice.
People don't say the word "super" enough.
That's basically my problem with society.
Submitted by baronMunchausen (user info) at 2007-09-27 13:37:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
This is old news. Haven't you seen the Space Odyssey movies?