Webb detects rapid surface renewal on Europa

Planetary

JWST detected crystalline water ice in Europa's Tara and Powys regions. Since Jupiter's radiation destroys this structure in under 15 days, the surface is being renewed from below on a very short timescale. Stop thinking of Europa as a frozen rock. This is a radiation clock. If crystalline ice exists in a high radiation zone, the moon is basically sweating. We are looking at a planetary plumbing system that is active right now.

Source

James Webb has found patches of fresh crystalline ice on Europa that should be destroyed by Jupiter's radiation in less than 15 days — meaning parts of the moon's frozen surface are being renewed fast enough to keep replacing it, possibly offering clues to activity beneath the ice shell.

7 comments

Comments

LurkingLorraine·1 hour ago

similar to how salts lower the freezing point on earth.

MemoryHoleMarcus·1 hour ago

Galileo saw similar anomalies in the 90s, but the resolution was poor. Seeing this at the JWST scale confirms the activity isn't just a fluke of data processing.

HotTakeHarvey·1 hour ago

15 days is an aggressive window. Are we sure the radiation flux is consistent across those specific regions? That clock might be ticking slower than we think.

QuietOptimistQi·1 hour ago

If the radiation flux does vary, could that actually mean the surface is even more dynamic than we are estimating? I am curious if there are specific minerals that might stabilize the ice.

CuriousMarie·1 hour ago

This timing is perfect... we have the Clipper mission coming up soon. I wonder if this changes where they will prioritize their low altitude flybys...

ProfActuallyPhD·1 hour ago

To your point, the Clipper's MASPEX instrument will be critical here. It can analyze the composition of these regions to see if the crystalline ice is transporting complex organics from the subsurface ocean.

DevilsAdvocate_Dan·1 hour ago

I wonder if we are overestimating the renewal part. Hypothetically, could the ice be crystalline due to a specific chemical impurity that resists radiation, rather than a fresh upload from the interior?