Europa

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Kozima
Posts: 29
Joined: 16 May 2022, 11:21

Europa

Post by Kozima »

Europa is the second of Jupiter's four giant satellites (in order of proximity to Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, or all four Galilean satellites). This satellite is Io on the inner side. The Ganymede satellites are on the outer side. Due to resonance phenomena, Europa can be elliptical or spherical.
Water and Life Inside
There is a strong possibility that Europa's interior is tidally heated by resonance between Io and Ganymede, turning ice into water. As evidence to support this, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in Earth's orbit has captured Europa's ejecta, making water extremely likely.

 Furthermore, hydrothermal vents are likely formed and supplied with nutrients from the interior rocky core. Hydrothermal vents, in addition to being essential for the formation of life, would also be essential for the existence of life in the deep sea. As you can see from here, there is a high probability that life forms exist.

Life forms need liquid water, energy, and organic matter. It is extremely likely that all of that is available. Assuming that, it is not too much to say that there is life. Exoplanets that are believed to be similar to Europa are Trappist-1f, Trappist-1g, and Trappist-1h. The English name for Trappist-1 is TRAPPIST-1. The reason is that the relative masses of TRAPPIST-1 and the planets are almost the same, all planets except h are in resonance, and f and g may be forming water inside. In addition, hydrothermal vents may also be present, so life forms are highly probable.

 However, it may possibly take some time for life forms on Earth to become multicellular organisms, as the potential for life to evolve rapidly increases after a mass extinction or when life emerges on the surface. However, since Trappist-1 is a flashpoint star, mass extinctions may occur in large numbers and life may not exist. That is something we won't know until we actually go there.
Kozima
Posts: 29
Joined: 16 May 2022, 11:21

Surface of Europa

Post by Kozima »

Europa's surface has a unique color. It may also be characterized by its lack of craters. Furthermore, its surface is the smoothest object in the solar system. Furthermore, near the equator, Europa is covered by a 15-meter-high ice spire-like object. This is most likely due to the sublimation of the ice, caused by the direct rays of the sun, which has given the ice such a shape. Another reason for the lack of craters is the active geology. The smoothness may also be due to the active geology. However, there are also rifts. This may be the same principle as the cooling, Marineris canyon on Mars. However, it may take a precise exploration by the Europa Clipper to clarify this.
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