Water Plumes Erupting From Europa
by Nasa/esa/g. Bacon (stsci)/science Photo Library
Title
Water Plumes Erupting From Europa
Artist
Nasa/esa/g. Bacon (stsci)/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Illustration of water plumes (three, white) erupting from the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa (right). Also seen are the moon Io (centre) and Jupiter (left). Europa's surface is thought to consist of an ocean of liquid water covered by a thick layer of ice. It is thought the water beneath the surface ice is kept liquid by heat from tidal effects induced in Europa's interior by Jupiter's gravitational field. The presence of liquid water allows for the possibility of life developing on Europa. The plumes provide an opportunity for Europa's water to be sampled for life without the need to land on the moon and drill through its ice.
Uploaded
October 3rd, 2018
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for Water Plumes Erupting From Europa. Click here to post the first comment.