Europe ice

Earthmen attempt upon sub glacial ocean of Europe

 

Little by little we learn more and more about the neighbor planets. The knowledge is too small, however the Solar system gradually gives secrets. It is inescapable to have a lot of fuss with satellites - their whole a great lot. On turn - Europe, the moon of Jupiter larded by riddles. The most intriguing from them is a mysterious ocean under a surface and live organisms hiding in it.

 

All of that we could know for a long time already, but there is a large obstacle - thick ice layer (probably, reaching several tens kilometers), covering Europe. Therefore it also does not give rest to planetologists.

 

Besides this satellite is one of the largest - almost about moon size. And, again, water …

 

Studying of Europe became especially productive last years. However new knowledge, alas, far does not pretend to be complete, after all purposeful researches of this satellite was not undertaken yet. We now have only pictures of vehicles which, so to say, flew by - no more than that.

 

Whether is thick the ice of Europe? The bottom of ocean gets warm, therefore water in it does not freeze, it is unequivocal. What of these two drawings reflects a real "average" state of affairs more precisely - will show indirect researches of an internal structure of the sattelite. Besides, it is possible to judge it on possible breaks of water through the ice armour.

 

Whether is "European" ice thick? The bottom of ocean gets warm, because of that water does not freeze and that's for sure. What of these two drawings reflects a real "average" state of affairs more precisely - will show indirect researches of an internal structure of the companion. Besides, it is possible to judge it on possible lets of water through breaks in the ice armor.

 

Many scientists understand that  situation is not very good. Therefore one of them  William B. McKinnon, the professor of geology and planetology from university of Washington University in St. Louis has not endured and decided to share his thoughts in this respect.

 

At recent congress of the American Geophysical Union - AGU  he has declared - scientists for a long time guessed, that  there is an ocean on Europe, and now they are simply assured, that it is. So, for them and for us it is high time to explore it.

 

First of all McKinnon has indicated that for research of this unprecedented ocean it is possible to use new methods which allow conduct combined measurements of gravitation and a magnetic field from orbit.

 

Why is it so important? Because Europe is very strongly subjected to gravitational effect of Jupiter, and it is expressed in that satellite is periodically deforming. Because of that layers of Europe rub each other and as a consequence satellite’s interiors are warming up - in difference for example from Encelad that receives most of heat from a radioactive source.

 

Such deformations will affect oscillations of gravitational and magnetic fields. If to determine character of such deviations and construct their mathematical model it is possible to learn the depth of the hidden "European" ocean, considers McKinnon. Besides, the researcher is sure, that these data will allow even to find out salinity level of this reservoir.

 

Speaking about radiation. The planetologist has told also - fresh data show, that radioactive radiation on Europe is not so furious as astrophysics estimated earlier.

 

It was now straightened out that radioactive radiation actually makes only one third of that value which was accepted before. So, the conditions there rather harmless - not for people, of course, but for vehicles that can be tired out into an orbit or even land on a surface.

 

It is interesting, that research probe has found out carbon dioxidal tracks on a surface of Europe. If assuming that it arrived from ocean then it for certain testify that in water indeed  are some biological processes.

 

If there is life on Europe, it is presented at the best in the form of any trifle like microorganisms.

 

A probe have not found there any geysers - as Encelad have for example. However, as considers McKinnon, they should be there - more exact equipment is simply necessary, and necessarily there will be hot points where a water fountains should beat.

 

One more question - whether the ice bark hiding ocean of Europe is thick?

 

According to McKinnon it is basically ease to learn. Need to carry out radar researches from the satellite. After all  in a similar way Martian orbital vehicle Mars Express on the Red planet could survey ice in polar caps and even in vaults.

 

The professor has added, that the major factor confirming existence of a life on Europe, will be a presence of liquid water in an ice layer and its interaction with ocean water.