NASA's Juno spacecraft has detected signs of activity on the icy moon of Jupiter

NASA's Juno spacecraft will fly by Jupiter's intriguing moon Europa in 2022, revealing the possibility that this could happen. Signs of current surface activity.

The Stellar Reference Unit (SRU), a stellar camera designed to help determine attitude aboard the Juno spacecraft, was used to image Europa's surface in high resolution as it was illuminated by the brightness of Jupiter, or sunlight scattered by Jupiter, according to specialist website Space.com.

The image shows the area of ​​the figure A strange surface of ice that measures 37 kilometers by 67 kilometers. It looks like a platypus. In other words, it has the “body” part to the north and the “beak” part to the south. Both areas, linked by a cracked neck-shaped formation, contain large blocks of ice each about a kilometer long that cast shadows.

Comparisons with images of similar resolution taken by NASA's previous Galileo spacecraft, which studied Jupiter from 1995 to 2003, Indicates changes in the southern part of the platypus' range. These suggest that changes may have occurred on Europa's surface since Galileo's images were taken. However, the team of authors, led by Heidi N. Baker of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) notes that the evidence is not conclusive due to differences in image quality and conditions.

The picture also includes 2022 Nearby low-albedo sediments that may be associated with subsurface liquid waterResearchers say. These dark spots may be associated with plumes believed to be spewing water. However, although inconclusive, the platypus is a compelling target for future missions such as NASA's Europa Clipper and Europa Juice to investigate and perhaps confirm current surface activity on Europa.

Juice was launched in April 2023 and will reach Jupiter in December 2031. Europa Clipper will launch on October 6, 2024 on a Falcon Heavy rocket.