Caught Satellites, Jupiter Moon "shooting" Water

Jupiter moon has long been suspected to potentially support life, Europa, discovered "spitting" of water to a height in excess of Everest. Hubble space telescope belonging to National Aeronautics and Space Administration USA (NASA) to catch it.

In a publication in the journal Science, scientists claim that the Hubble image shows a surplus of hydrogen and oxygen in the southern hemisphere Europa. When it was confirmed that the chemical is water, then there is great hope in the sea of underground Europa accessible.


"The presence of water has triggered scientists to speculate that Europa as we know it today to save lives," said James Green, head of NASA's planetary science studies, as quoted by the BBC.

"Steam is ejected attract attention when it was there, the steam carries the molecules of the ocean at Europa. Perhaps there is more organic material on the surface of Europa," added Green.

Scientists discovered the existence of water vapor in the image of the Hubble telescope Europa taken in November and December 2013, and in 1999. Water vapor is the form of the elements hydrogen and oxygen.

"It is consistent with two bursts of water vapor as high as 200 miles," said Lorenz Roth of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Every second, about 7 tons of material ejected into the atmosphere Europa.


Europa

Kurt Retherford is also of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio said that the number of bursts was awesome. "It was moving at a speed of 700 meters per second. All the gas was out, almost all of them back again, not out into space," he said.

Bursts of steam it seems to be temporary, occurring for approximately seven hours at a time. The climax occurs when Europa reaches the farthest distance to Jupiter, and vice versa.

Due to this fact, scientists suspect that it bursts the water vapor may be influenced by the gravity of Jupiter. Gravity is able to make ice at Europa's surface cracking, triggering bursts of water vapor.


Hubble Telescope

The results of the research presented in this Europa meeting of the American Geophysical Union held in San Francisco on Thursday. Although no new facts to light, there are still many questions remaining.

"How thick ice on Europa? Are there any lakes or ponds in the ice sheet? Are cracks in the ice enough? Are enough to touch the liquid water layer under it?" Thus stated Retherford.

NASA originally planned exploration missions to Europa via the Europa Clipper. However, because of limited funds, it is difficult to realize the mission in a short time. The world may have to rely on Europa exploration mission, the mission Juice.

Juice will be launched in 2022. The spacecraft will approach the Europa. If lucky, the mission could take samples and examine steam. Sampling can be done is uncertain because the juice will be approached in the equatorial region of Europa, while bursts in the southern hemisphere.

Sources:
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