Science

n2doc

(47,953 posts) Mon Feb 16, 2015, 02:14 PM Feb 2015

Scientists think there could be life on Jupiter's moon Europa. Here's why.

Our best shot at finding extraterrestrial life inside the solar system isn't on Mars. It's on Europa: a moon of Jupiter that likely has a vast water ocean under its ultra-cold, icy surface. And if all goes as planned, NASA will begin planning an uncrewed exploration mission to Europa next year.

"We think Europa has the ingredients for life," says Robert Pappalardo, the mission's project scientist. "Not just liquid water, but probably the right elements and chemical energy that might permit life too."

After years of failed attempts, NASA appears to be on the verge of finally getting funding for a mission to learn more about Europa, with dedicated money in President Obama's proposed 2016 budget and support from Republicans in Congress.

The mission's probe, called the Europa Clipper, would be launched in 2025 and eventually enter orbit around Jupiter, allowing it to fly by the icy moon dozens of times and gather data on the liquid ocean believed to exist under its surface

more

http://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8045979/europa-moon-jupiter

11 replies

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Scientists think there could be life on Jupiter's moon Europa. Here's why. (Original Post) n2doc Feb 2015 OP

Great! but... Mike Nelson Feb 2015 #1

If we didn't have morons like Ted Cruz in charge of NASA's budget we might n2doc Feb 2015 #2

You wanna go diving there? Scuba Feb 2015 #4

I do! BrotherIvan Feb 2015 #5

We need to organize a DU dive trip. Keys maybe? Scuba Feb 2015 #7

Southeast Asia all the way! BrotherIvan Feb 2015 #8

No, I live in Wisconsin. Dive trips are luxuries for me. Scuba Feb 2015 #10

You're right, I got carried away BrotherIvan Feb 2015 #11

Well, I for one COLGATE4 Feb 2015 #3

DUzy! BrotherIvan Feb 2015 #6

Too much dicking around with Mars and Titan - no offense they are cool but we should be MillennialDem Feb 2015 #9

Mike Nelson

(9,966 posts)

1. Great! but...

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 02:28 PM

Feb 2015

...I wish we would go sooner than 2025.

n2doc

(47,953 posts)

2. If we didn't have morons like Ted Cruz in charge of NASA's budget we might

Reply to Mike Nelson (Reply #1)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 02:49 PM

Feb 2015

Unfortunately, we are stuck with them for at least the next 2 years.

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

4. You wanna go diving there?

Reply to Mike Nelson (Reply #1)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 05:04 PM

Feb 2015

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

5. I do!

Reply to Scuba (Reply #4)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 10:18 PM

Feb 2015

I've never gone with a dry suit, but I'm up for anything. Launch me outta that sucker and I'll go find some critters.

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

7. We need to organize a DU dive trip. Keys maybe?

Reply to BrotherIvan (Reply #5)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 10:26 PM

Feb 2015

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

8. Southeast Asia all the way!

Reply to Scuba (Reply #7)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 11:07 PM

Feb 2015

I haven't been everywhere I want to go yet, but I'm slowly working on it. This year it might be the Azores and fingers crossed the Red Sea. I don't get to go nearly enough. It is so addictive.

Are you in Florida? I live in California and haven't even been diving here yet because the time of year it's not bloody cold I'm usually traveling. Dumb, I know.

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

10. No, I live in Wisconsin. Dive trips are luxuries for me.

Reply to BrotherIvan (Reply #8)

Tue Feb 17, 2015, 07:55 AM

Feb 2015

I suggested the Keys because there's lots of good shallow (20-40 ft) diving there (more bottom time!) and it makes for a lower cost trip than international destinations.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

11. You're right, I got carried away

Reply to Scuba (Reply #10)

Tue Feb 17, 2015, 02:27 PM

Feb 2015

If a bunch of people are going, I'm up for it. I'm moving to Europe in a couple of months but will be coming back to the US from time to time for business. I'll dive anywhere except for quarries which for some stupid reason scare me more than the open ocean.