Many scientists believe there may be life on Europa, one of Jupiter’s
moons, because there may be liquid water underneath
Europa’s surface. If this is true, Europa could support life.
How Did Life Develop on
Europa?
An x-ray astronomer named Richard Hoover has a theory that asteroids that hit
Earth thousands of years ago may have made such a huge impact that they sent
rock, soil, and seawater containing living things from Earth flying out into
space. He believes that these may have landed on Europa.
Europa Probe
Scientists are planning to send out a spacecraft called Europa to
land on Jupiter's moon. It will measure the thickness of ice on the surface, which
scientists now think is about 3/4 of a mile thick. The probe will use a tool
called a radar sounder to bounce radio waves through the ice. The radar sounder
will be able to detect any liquid water underneath the surface.
Water = Life
If scientists can find water on Europa, this will show that the planet could
support life. The information collected by the Europa probe, combined with
detailed pictures collected by the Galileo spacecraft, may lead to more clues about life on
Europa.
