NASA’s Juno spacecraft has been exploring Jupiter’s moon Europa and recently captured high-resolution photos of its surface.
The photos reveal that Europa’s icy crusts at the north and south poles are free-floating on top of the surface, a previously unknown fact.
One area on Europa nicknamed “the Platypus” contains geological features like hummocks and ridges that resemble the shape of a platypus.
Scientists believe this area called the Platypus may allow deposits of salty water from Europa’s subsurface ocean to reach the surface.
Finding locations where ocean water can meet the surface gives scientists an opportunity to study the water’s composition and search for potential signs of life.
If life is found on Europa, it would be the first discovery of life beyond Earth. NASA’s Juno mission ends in 2025, but two upcoming ESA and NASA missions called Europa Clipper and Juice plan to further investigate Europa.
Source: Digital Camera World
