US: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a momentous discovery about the Jupiter moon Europa. Images of the telescope’s infrared camera show a peculiar landscape with lots of carbon dioxide, which may indicate life.
This ground-breaking discovery has focused on Europa’s freezing zones, distinguished by exceptionally low temperatures. The James Webb Space Telescope’s observations point to the presence of carbon, a crucial component of life, beneath Europa’s frozen surface.
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The study, jointly conducted by two astronomers looking for evidence of a space observatory on the moon’s surface, was published on September 21, 2023, in the journal “Science.”
Geronimo Villanueva, the lead author, emphasized the critical role of chemical variety in supporting life and stressed that the ocean surrounding Europa holds the key to understanding how carbon gas might promote or hinder life.
While NASA emphasizes that the sheer presence of carbon is not enough for life to flourish, Europa stands out as a celestial world where it may be possible for life to exist. It requires a source of energy, organic nutrients, and an ongoing flow of organic molecules.
The focus switched to the rocky, ice-rich Taro Regio region of Europa, where a high level of carbon dioxide was found. The moon’s ocean depths have produced compounds that may have surfaced in this area, potentially bringing with them essential hints about Europa’s secret biology.
Data from the James Webb Space Telescope was also examined for evidence of the water vapor eruption from Europa’s surface that earlier Hubble Space Telescope studies had suggested. The analysis found no definite proof of plume activity, indicating the necessity for further thorough research. Future space missions that explore Europa’s secrets, such as NASA’s Europa Clipper and ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, will benefit from these discoveries.
The relevance of Europa in the search for extraterrestrial life is highlighted by NASA’s plan to launch the Europa Clipper spacecraft for more exploration.
