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Life on Europa, artwork
Life on Europa. Computer artwork showing the different factors acting on the water found on the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, that may enable it to support life. Europa has a small metal core (not seen) surrounded by a large layer of rock (brown). The surface is thought to consist of an ocean of liquid water (blue) covered by a thick layer of ice. It is thought the water beneath the surface ice is kept liquid through volcanic activity and heat from tidal effects induced in Europa's interior by Jupiter's gravitational field. These conditions may be suitable to support life, such as photosynthetic plants at the surface, and aquatic animals deeper down where the water is warmed by hydrothermal vents (bottom centre).
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