NASA has long suspected that Jupiter‘s icy moon Europa has a deep sea beneath its icy crust, reaching depths of 60 to 150 kilometers.
It seems that NASA’s Juno spacecraft has found new evidence for the existence of oxygen-forming processes on the surface. This oxygen is thought to be transferred to Europa’s giant oceans. It is stated that the oxygen produced is not as much as previously thought. In NASA‘s statement, it was said that Jupiter’s moon produces 1000 tons of oxygen every 24 hours, which is enough for a million people to breathe in and out in the same amount of time.
About the size of the Moon, Europa orbits the gas giant planet Jupiter. The planet’s moon lies in an area affected by radiation from Jupiter’s magnetic field. As a result, energized particles (ions) beat on Europa’s surface. This causes the water molecules on the surface to break apart, creating hydrogen and oxygen.
When the Juno spacecraft passed within 350 kilometers of Europa in September 2022, the JADE instrument on board analyzed the oxygen and hydrogen produced as particles bombard the surface. According to the measurements, 12 kilograms of oxygen are produced every second. According to NASA’s statements, this oxygen produced on the surface is thought to reach the ocean under the surface of the satellite, creating a possible source of metabolic energy.
Scientists with NASA’s #JunoMission to Jupiter have calculated the rate of oxygen being produced at Europa to be about 26 pounds (12 kg) per second. Europa's atmosphere is very thin, but some of this oxygen could work its way into its subsurface ocean. https://t.co/4hgRag4oVE pic.twitter.com/3apMkSnp1m
— NASA Europa Clipper (@EuropaClipper) March 4, 2024
Although Earth’s oceans are teeming with life, there is no evidence of life on Europa. But it is thought to host environments where life could exist. In other words, this moon could be a “habitable” place in space.
NASA is so interested in this icy world that it will be sending a special vehicle to Europa next October. This spacecraft, called Europa Clipper, is almost the size of a basketball court and is designed to pass within 50 times the size of the moon. It is scheduled to arrive at Europa in 2030 and will investigate whether it is suitable for life.
