Icy moons Flashcards
1
Q
The two icy moons?
A
Europa and Enceladus
2
Q
Why is water essential for life?
A
- abundant,
- remains stable over a range of temperatures and pressures
- carries both negative and positive charges which means it can dissolve solutes and allows biochemical reactions
3
Q
Why is Enceladus a candidate for potential life?
A
It has plumes which could allow the formation of life
4
Q
What is the source of the plumes on Enceladus?
A
Tiger stripes on the South Pole
5
Q
Which mission flew through Enceladus plumes?
A
Cassini-Huygens
6
Q
What did Cassini find?
A
- water ice
- salts
- gases
- silica
- organics
7
Q
Europa has chaos terrains, what are these?
A
When a warm water plume rises up through the ice, this causes blocks of ice to fall down and then refreeze
