The scientists' latest findings were published in the famous journal “Nature Astronomy.” However, the main goal of the study was not to determine how many people could survive on Jupiter's moon. Scientists were primarily interested in knowing whether it was possible for any life form to exist on Europa. We believe that Europe is the most likely place to search for life outside Earth said Kurt Niebuhr, NASA's chief scientist for exoplanet exploration, who was not involved in the study.
NASA's Juno mission, currently flying around Jupiter and its moons, has provided the most accurate estimate yet of oxygen production on Europa. It turned out to be much smaller than previously thought. The latest estimate is 1,000 tons of oxygen every 24 hours, 86 times less than some previous estimates.
Oxygen production on Europa is very different than on Earth. While our planet gets its oxygen from photosynthesis, its presence on Europa is a result of the activities of the parent planet Jupiter. Jupiter emits powerful radiation that showers Europe with high-energy particles. These particles then interact with the frozen ice on the moon's surface, splitting H2O molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
NASA's Juno mission has shed more light on the total amount of oxygen produced on Europa's surface. However, it is still unclear how much oxygen, if any, is seeping into the underground ocean.
NASA's next Europa Clipper mission is scheduled to launch in October 2024. Its main goal will be to determine whether Europe is habitable. Clipper will be equipped with instruments that will help reveal Europa's internal structure, such as subsurface radar. While determining whether or not Europa's subsurface ocean contains oxygen would improve our understanding of the moon's habitability, it would not automatically confirm whether life exists or can exist on Europa.
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