❓ why
Why does Europa likely hide a global ocean beneath its ice?
Quick Answer
Jupiter’s gravity flexes Europa and generates internal heat, which can keep water beneath the surface liquid. Surface features also suggest the ice shell may be floating over a salty ocean.
The Full Story
Europa’s smooth, cracked ice shell points to a dynamic interior rather than a frozen solid body. Tidal forces from Jupiter and nearby moons continually flex Europa, producing heat through friction. That heat can help maintain a liquid ocean under the ice, possibly in contact with a rocky seafloor. The Galileo spacecraft provided much of the evidence, and Europa Clipper, launched in 2024, is designed to investigate further.
Key Facts
1.Europa is about 3,100 km across
2.Tidal heating from Jupiter helps keep the interior warm
3.NASA’s Europa Clipper launched in 2024
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"How can an icy moon hide an ocean?"
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