Europa Subsurface Ocean |
Europa Subsurface Ocean |
Nov 22 2005, 10:53 AM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3648 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Croatia Member No.: 523 |
Regarding the very real possibility Europa harbors an ocean underneath the ice, I'm wondering whether there have been any estimates on how long such an ocean might have been sustained (I'm assuming it's still there today). Are we talking about the entire history of Europa, billions of years or a much more recent thing, only a few millions? I know Enceladus, which recently turned out to be much warmer inside than expected, could have been periodically heated, but not on very long timescales.
I'm primarily interested because of the habitability factor, obviously an ocean which freezes out every once and a while would not make for a good incubator to possible life. Also, supposedly all tidal heating on Europa would cease now, how long would it take for the subsurface to freeze out, that is, what are the thermal conductive properties of the surface ice? Admittedly, I haven't done much research on the subject and if the question was already asked before, I apologize. -------------------- |
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Jan 27 2006, 01:57 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 477 Joined: 2-March 05 Member No.: 180 |
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Jan 27 2006, 06:54 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2488 Joined: 17-April 05 From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK Member No.: 239 |
QUOTE (Jeff7 @ Jan 27 2006, 02:57 AM) Jeff: It's been discussed, but would be very difficult to do without contaminating the lakes themselves. Even getting *near* the fluid water is hazardous, sadly (for the lakes). It may, however, be too late anyway, as drilling close by may already have penetrated the 'no go' zone required for a sterile investigation. Bob Shaw -------------------- Remember: Time Flies like the wind - but Fruit Flies like bananas!
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Feb 8 2006, 12:51 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2454 Joined: 8-July 05 From: NGC 5907 Member No.: 430 |
Newly Discovered Antarctic Lakes
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/...p3?img_id=17176 To quote: "Scientists recently published the first thorough description of the size, depth, and origin of these two large lakes, called 90° East Lake (for its longitude) and Sovetskaya Lake (for the Russian research station that was unknowingly built over top it many years ago)." Now I truly wonder how pristine at least the latter lake is. -------------------- "After having some business dealings with men, I am occasionally chagrined,
and feel as if I had done some wrong, and it is hard to forget the ugly circumstance. I see that such intercourse long continued would make one thoroughly prosaic, hard, and coarse. But the longest intercourse with Nature, though in her rudest moods, does not thus harden and make coarse. A hard, sensible man whom we liken to a rock is indeed much harder than a rock. From hard, coarse, insensible men with whom I have no sympathy, I go to commune with the rocks, whose hearts are comparatively soft." - Henry David Thoreau, November 15, 1853 |
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Feb 17 2006, 04:23 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2454 Joined: 8-July 05 From: NGC 5907 Member No.: 430 |
Special Public Event
Europa: Life Beneath the Ice? What lies beneath the ice of Jupiter’s frozen moon Europa? Almost certainly, a liquid water ocean. Could life have evolved in such an icebound sea, growing in the darkness of eternal winter? Europa is one of the solar system’s most fascinating worlds, having the precious commodity of liquid water, fascinating geology, and even the possibility of life. Numerous science committees have judged it as the top priority for outer solar system exploration. Join the NASA Astrobiology Institute Europa Focus Group and The Planetary Society for an eye-opening presentation about Europa, how life can evolve in unexpected places, and the type of mission that might be sent to answer some of our questions. Steven Quale will show clips from the film, Aliens of the Deep. Time for Q&A with the speakers will follow the presentation. Admission is Free. Seating is limited. First come, first served. SPEAKERS: Chris McKay, NASA Ames, Planetary Scientist Torrence Johnson, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Galileo Project Scientist Bob Pappalardo, University of Colorado, Boulder, Planetary Scientist Steven Quale, filmmaker and co-Director of Aliens of the Deep Bruce Betts, Moderator, The Planetary Society, Director of Projects Date: Sunday, February 26, 2006 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: NASA Ames Research Center Building 943, Eagle Room Moffett Field, CA Directions: Exit off Hwy 101 This event is presented by The Planetary Societyin affiliation with The NASA Astrobiology Institute Europa Focus Group. If you need additional information, please contact The Planetary Society, 626-793-5100 http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects...ropa_event.html -------------------- "After having some business dealings with men, I am occasionally chagrined,
and feel as if I had done some wrong, and it is hard to forget the ugly circumstance. I see that such intercourse long continued would make one thoroughly prosaic, hard, and coarse. But the longest intercourse with Nature, though in her rudest moods, does not thus harden and make coarse. A hard, sensible man whom we liken to a rock is indeed much harder than a rock. From hard, coarse, insensible men with whom I have no sympathy, I go to commune with the rocks, whose hearts are comparatively soft." - Henry David Thoreau, November 15, 1853 |
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