Alien life on Jupiter's moon Europa just became a very likely scenario

In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding extraterrestrial life, astronomers utilizing NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have detected the presence of carbon dioxide on Jupiter’s moon, Europa.

This vital find opens the gateway to a plethora of speculations and possibilities regarding the existence of conditions conducive to life, considering Europa is one of the few worlds in our solar system believed to potentially harbor life.

Beneath the icy crust: A saltwater ocean

Previous studies highlighted the existence of a salty ocean beneath Europa’s water-ice crust, concealing a rocky seafloor. However, what eluded scientists was the confirmation of whether this ocean housed life-essential chemicals, specifically carbon.

The breakthrough findings from the Webb have now identified CO2 in a region known as Tara Regio on Europa’s icy surface, an area also known for its “chaos terrain” due to the disrupted surface ice and indications of material exchange between the ocean and the surface.

Source of carbon: An internal gift

Analysis reveals this identified carbon likely originates from the subsurface ocean and is not a product of external entities like meteorites, dismissing prior uncertainties regarding its origin. Its presence in a geologically young area suggests its deposition on a relatively recent timescale, adding a crucial layer to our understanding of Europa’s potential habitability.

“Understanding the chemistry of Europa’s ocean will help us determine whether it’s hostile to life as we know it, or if it might be a good place for life,” stated Geronimo Villanueva of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the lead author of one of the illuminating papers describing the findings.

Implications for extraterrestrial life

These revelations bear immense significance as they not only strengthen the claims of Europa’s ocean potentially being a refuge for life but also help to decipher the intricate chemical composition of the ocean.

Carbon, being the backbone of life as we comprehend it, its presence and origin in Europa provide pivotal insights into the conditions and possibilities of life on this distant moon.

Insights into ocean-surface connection

There has been extensive debate among scientists about the extent of connectivity between Europa’s ocean and its surface.

“This suggests that we may be able to learn some basic things about the ocean’s composition even before we drill through the ice to get the full picture,” Villanueva added.

Webb’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph

The utilization of the integral field unit of Webb’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) enabled astronomers to pinpoint the location of specific chemicals, giving an unprecedented glimpse into the chemical localization on Europa’s surface.

Significance for future missions

The discoveries not only shape the direction of future research endeavors but also form the basis for upcoming missions, notably NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, set to launch in October 2024. It is designed to perform numerous close flybys of Europa to delve deeper into its potential to support life.

Additionally, these findings will significantly inform ESA’s forthcoming Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission.

Plume activity: A continuous enigma

While the new data does not reveal any evidence of plume activity, it does establish a stringent upper limit on the rate of material potentially being ejected. However, the non-detection of plumes doesn’t conclusively rule out their existence.

“All we can say with 100% confidence is that we did not detect a plume at Europa when we made these observations with Webb,” stated Heidi Hammel from the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy.

In summary, the revelation of carbon dioxide on Europa’s surface is a monumental stride in our pursuit of extraterrestrial life, enriching our understanding of this distant moon and its ocean’s chemistry. As researchers continue to unravel Europa’s mysteries, the knowledge acquired will be pivotal for forthcoming missions and explorations, potentially rewriting our understanding of life in the universe.

The publication of these findings in two separate studies in Science stands as a testament to the unrelenting human endeavor to reach beyond the known and explore the unseen realms of our universe.

More about Europa

Jupiter’s moon, Europa, draws attention as one of the most intriguing celestial bodies in our solar system due to its potential to harbor life. With its icy façade and underlying mysteries, Europa kindles curiosity and exploratory fervor among scientists and space enthusiasts.

Concealed oceanic wonder

Beneath its icy shell, Europa conceals a vast ocean of salty liquid water. Scientists believe that this ocean harbors twice the amount of water found on Earth, making it a prime location in the search for extraterrestrial life. The icy crust encapsulating this ocean possibly ranges from 10 to 30 kilometers in thickness, acting as a shield against Jupiter’s harsh radiation belts.

Tantalizing geology

Europa presents a dynamic and complex geological surface. It possesses a predominantly water-ice surface, intertwined with a myriad of fractures and ridges. Some areas, known as “chaos terrains,” exhibit disrupted and restructured ice, indicative of potential exchanges between the subsurface ocean and the surface, a phenomenon that further fuels scientific inquiries into Europa’s internal activities.

Magnetic field mysteries

The magnetic field measurements taken by the Galileo spacecraft hint at the existence of a subsurface conductive layer, speculated to be Europa’s salty ocean. This presumed ocean could be a host to hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, which, on Earth, support diverse and robust ecosystems, fostering hopes for the presence of life in Europa’s dark, submerged world.

Radiation-scarred surface

Europa endures a relentless bombardment of intense radiation from Jupiter’s magnetic field, which scars its surface and creates a hostile environment. However, this radiation also interacts with the icy surface to produce oxidants, compounds that could potentially fuel life in the subsurface ocean.

Potential for astrobiology

The presence of essential elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and now, as recent discoveries suggest, carbon dioxide, elevate Europa’s status as a prime candidate in the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists postulate that the interplay between the irradiated surface and the concealed ocean could generate the chemical energy necessary for life to thrive.

Europa, with its concealed ocean and compelling geological features, stands as a beacon in our pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. The prospect of life in its hidden, watery realms propels scientific investigations and explorations, seeking to expand our knowledge of our solar system and life’s existence within it. As advancements in technology pave the way for more in-depth explorations, Europa continues to tantalize our imaginations and beckon us closer to uncovering its secrets.

—

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.

—

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.