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Where is Europa's subsurface ocean thought to be?

SpaceMoons

Quick Answer

Europa’s ocean is believed to lie beneath its icy crust, which surrounds the moon entirely. The liquid water is not exposed on the surface.

The Full Story

Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, is thought to have a global ocean beneath a shell of ice. The ocean is likely tens of kilometers below the surface, though the exact thickness of the ice is still uncertain. Scientists are especially interested because tidal heating from Jupiter may keep the ocean liquid. This makes Europa one of the best places in the Solar System to look for possible habitats beyond Earth.

Key Facts

1.Located beneath Europa’s ice shell
2.Europa orbits Jupiter
3.Possible ocean under tens of km of ice

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"A hidden ocean may be buried under Europa’s frozen surface."