James Webb’s Carbon Discovery on Europa Bolsters the Case for Potential Life
NASA
The prime locations within our solar system for seeking extraterrestrial life aren’t planets such as Mars; rather, they are icy moons like Europa. The evidence supporting the existence of life on this watery celestial body has recently been bolstered by the detection of a new source of carbon thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope.
Despite its inhospitable appearance, Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, is a top contender for the discovery of alien life. Scientists speculate that beneath its icy exterior lies a vast ocean with striking similarities to Earth’s own. Where conditions resemble those on Earth, the possibility of Earth-like life forms arises.
Ocean-Origin Clues
In fact, the James Webb telescope has recently detected fresh indications of carbon on Europa, a crucial element for known life forms. Importantly, this carbon appears to have originated from the subsurface ocean of Europa rather than from meteorites or other external sources.
However, Samantha Trumbo, the lead author of a study analyzing this data, stated, “We now have observational proof that the carbon present on Europa’s surface is derived from its ocean. This is a significant finding, as carbon is a fundamental element for biological processes.”
This breakthrough was achieved through the utilization of the spacecraft’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument. NIRSpec captured infrared measurements from Europa’s surface. Subsequently, researchers can examine the distinct light reflection patterns to identify the precise chemicals present and their respective locations.
Science Credit: Geronimo Villanueva (NASA/GSFC), Samantha Trumbo (Cornell Univ.), NASA, ESA, CSA. Image Processing Credit: Geronimo Villanueva (NASA/GSFC), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
However, In the process, the research team uncovered extensive accumulations of frozen carbon dioxide (CO2) and intricate, non-crystalline CO2 in various parts of Europa’s surface.
The highest concentration of CO2 was detected in a region known as Tara Regio, characterized by a disrupted surface ice and interactions with the underlying subsurface ocean. Supporting the theory of an oceanic source, the instability of CO2 on the surface suggests its relatively recent deposition.
Carbon and Salt Link in Tara Regio
Samantha Trumbo noted, “Earlier observations by the Hubble Space Telescope indicated the presence of ocean-related salt in Tara Regio. Now, we’re observing a significant concentration of carbon dioxide in the same area. This suggests that the carbon likely originates from Europa’s internal ocean.”
Previous research has identified possible water plumes erupting through the ice from the subsurface ocean, which could be one way carbon dioxide reaches the surface. Although these observations did not directly capture these plumes in action, it doesn’t rule out their existence; it merely suggests they might be intermittent.
Further evidence of potential life on this intriguing icy moon could surface relatively soon, as NASA is preparing to launch the Europa Clipper mission in October 2024.
Reqad the origiinal article on: New Atlas
