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Ingredient for Life Common on Jupiter's Icy Moon Europa


Craig

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http://www.space.com/20536-jupiter-moon-europa-life-ingredients.html
 

A potential energy source for life appears to be common on Jupiter's icy moon Europa, a new study suggests.

An analysis of infrared observations of Europa revealed that hydrogen peroxide is abundant on the ice-covered Jovian moon. If the hydrogen peroxide finds a way beneath Europa's surface and mixes with the moon's liquid water ocean, it could be a vital energy source for any life that might exist there, scientists said.

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If anywhere has like I would probably expect it to be there!


 


This reminds me of the sketch in COSMOS where Sagan drafts up some life forms that could exist within Jupiter... That was awesome.


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I do think that a space mission to land on Europa, drill or melt through the ice and explore the ocean beneath and get the results back to Earth would not only be incredibly difficult / challenging / cool but could also provide the most eye opening discoveries of the 21st century...if it ever gets done. I just hope I see it in my lifetime!


Angus


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I do think that a space mission to land on Europa, drill or melt through the ice and explore the ocean beneath and get the results back to Earth would not only be incredibly difficult / challenging / cool but could also provide the most eye opening discoveries of the 21st century...if it ever gets done. I just hope I see it in my lifetime!

Angus

Plans are a foot for a lander, plan is to land a nuclear powered device capable of melting its way down to the hopeful ocean below and then release a swimming probe with its own set of 3 smaller probes to investigate with out harming main probe or getting it stuck.

Saw a documentary the other day but can't remember where or when.

Edited by tuckstar
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Would have to be very careful not to contaminate it with life from our own rock. I imagine they've learnt a few tricks from drilling into the Antarctic subterranean lakes.

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Well, if they do find something, perhaps they'll name it for Arthur C Clarke.


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Would have to be very careful not to contaminate it with life from our own rock. I imagine they've learnt a few tricks from drilling into the Antarctic subterranean lakes.

 

Pretty sure all instruments and vehicles are made with the up-most care as not to contaminate, especially rovers like on Mars.

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Pretty sure all instruments and vehicles are made with the up-most care as not to contaminate, especially rovers like on Mars.

 

You'd like to think so, but one of the drills on Curiosity was contaminated :facepalm:

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You'd like to think so, but one of the drills on Curiosity was contaminated :facepalm:

 

Oh did they confirm that?

 

I haven't heard anything since the original news saying that there was interesting results. Shame.

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It was to do with one of the drill bits being taken out of the packet or something, can't remember the details but a women from the uk space agency told us at a talk a few months back :facepalm:

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They swapped to using a new drill bit which hadn't been opened, but all it means is they no longer have a spare in case of breakage.


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