New research from NASA: There may be life on Jupiter's moon Europa
0New research from NASA: There may be life on Jupiter's moon Europa
According to a new study by the American Space and Aviation Administration (NASA) and the University of Texas in the USA, the icy-covered oceans of Jupiter's moon Europa may have a similar amount of oxygen to Earth's oceans. Scientists explained that this situation may be home to various organisms and may be the answer to questions about life in space.
The authors of the study, published in the scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters, say they think there are conditions under Europa's terrain of cracks, ridges and ice blocks that cover a quarter of it, which could potentially help sustain alien life.
However, scientists said they believe the amount of oxygen brought to Europa's ocean could be equal to the amount in Earth's oceans today.
"Our research puts this process in the realm of the possible," said lead researcher Marc Hesse, a professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas. "Europa's subterranean ocean could answer our questions about life in space."
VARIOUS NUTRIENTS FOUND WITH OXYGEN
On the other hand, the researchers said Europa is the best spot to look for alien life, and they detected signs of oxygen and water, along with chemicals that could serve as food in the celestial body. Also, Europa's ice crust, estimated to be about 24 km thick, acts as a barrier between water and oxygen produced by sunlight and Jupiter's charged particles hitting the icy surface.
“If there is life as we know it in the ocean, there must be a way for oxygen to reach it,” Hesse said. "Based on the available evidence, I believe the most plausible scenario is for oxygen to be transported by brine or brine," he said.
On the other hand, co-author Steven Vance, a research scientist at the American Space and Aviation Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), said oxygen levels in Europa's ocean could be similar to those in Earth's oceans.
"This raises hopes about the potential of oxygen in Europa to support life on Earth," Vance said. It's tempting to think of some kind of organism living just under the ice." Vance also said that NASA's upcoming 2024 Europa Clipper mission could help improve predictions for oxygen and other components for life on Jupiter's icy moon.
Kevin Hand, a scientist at NASA JPL who focused on the Europa research and was not part of the study, said: "We know that there are beneficial compounds like oxygen on the surface of Europa, but are they being lowered into the ocean below where life can use them? In the work of Hesse and his collaborators, the answer seems to be 'yes'.