Now, scientists say that the moon will glow green visually in the dark as high levels of radiation from Jupiter’s powerful magnetic field interact with its icy surface.
Laboratory simulations have shown that electrified ice greening light is called “electron-excited luminescence”.
“Ice flashes at night on Europa can be very unique and unlike any other event in our solar system,” the study says.
The findings were published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Monday.
The next mission by NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, which is expected to begin later this decade, could map and map the chemical composition of Europe’s surface by measuring how the ice glow appears in different wavelengths, the study authors said.
Habitable environment?
From these observations, scientists can also discover the chemical make-up of the moon’s sub-surface oceans – for example, its salinity – this was studied by Nath’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist and NASA’s chief scientist Murthy Gudipati. “Important for potential residency,” said the California Institute of Technology.
He said via email, “Imagine a whole coconut, outside its hard shell and then the coconut flesh (which is similar to Europa’s ice shell) and then the water comes into the coconut inside.”
“It is thought that under the ice shell this liquid could be ten kilometers (a) in the ocean. Living environment. ”
The Europa Clipper, named for the 1800’s streamlined ships, will be able to launch as early as 2023, but the target launch is set for 2025. He is expected to reach Europa after a long journey.
The Europa Clipper will hold cameras and spectrometers to capture images and determine the composition of the moon.
The ice-penetrating radar will measure the thickness of the ice shell covering the ocean, and will help detect supposed sub-surface lakes on Earth, much like Antarctica. A magnet ome meter can determine the strength and direction of a magnetic field and help us understand how deep the ocean goes and how salty it is.
It is important to understand the radiation barrier on Europa because particles can be a source of energy for basic chemical reactions necessary for life.
“Radiation is actually a form of energy radiation, just as sunlight reaches the earth – which is important for life on earth.” “Radiation in the form of high-energy radiation electrons, protons and ions could also be one of the requirements for Europe’s potential habitation.
“Radiation reaching the surface breaks the bonds of water molecules, salts and organisms – if present – for example, hydrogen peroxide … which produces more energy-rich molecules that are stable in the temperature conditions of Europa.” Explained.
“This energy-rich material could come into the ocean at a geographic time scale (millions of years), increasing the likelihood of European habitation.”
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