21. Ice World Flashcards
1
Q
What are europas characteristics and promise for astrobiologists?
A
Jupiter’s fathers moon , Further away from Jupiter less gravitational pull
tidally locked to Jupiter so same face always faces
Very flat surface and very few impact crater
Jupiters environment (Jovian) has large radiation files and attracts lots of commets and collisions
Lots of lines and dark spots suggesting open and close
2
Q
Evidence for possible liquid water on europa
A
Linear (lines ) and lenticlulae (dark patches) may show of younger warm ice rising to the surface as solid ice pulled apart
Flat regions could show recent local melting , maybe top ice layer is thin
Chaos regions suggest liquid inside crust causing movement
