By Sakshi Sah
Published Oct 16, 2024

Hindustan Times
Trending

Photo Credit: NASA

Can life exist on an icy moon? Know as you enjoy 8 jaw-dropping pics

NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will search for signs of life under the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.

Photo Credit: NASA

Beneath Europa’s icy shell lies a vast ocean that might be warm and rich in nutrients, creating a potentially habitable environment.

Photo Credit: NASA

The mission aims to find if there are key ingredients for life in Europa’s ocean by studying the moon’s surface and subsurface.

Photo Credit: NASA

The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and make 49 flybys of Europa, using advanced instruments to investigate the icy moon's structure and surface.

Photo Credit: NASA

One key mission goal is to measure the thickness of Europa’s icy shell and study the deep ocean beneath for signs of life.

Photo Credit: NASA

Scientists will look for organic compounds and surface material, which could provide clues about the moon’s potential for life.

Photo Credit: NASA

The E-THEMIS instrument will search for warm spots on Europa’s surface where plumes might carry deep ocean material to the top.

Photo Credit: NASA

Europa Clipper will measure the moon’s magnetic field and electrical currents to better understand the ocean’s depth and salinity.

Photo Credit: NASA

By analysing data from all instruments, NASA hopes to uncover if Europa's ocean could support life.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Europa Clipper’s mission will bring us closer to answering one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone in the universe?

Photo Credit: Flickr