NATS 1570 Study Guide - Final Guide: Galilean Moons, Tidal Heating, Strong Gravity
6 Apr 2019
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Large percentage is water and ice: volcanic activity present on many of the moons with tidal heating being the source of the energy, this activity (plus radioactive decay) could be enough to keep water liquid and sustain life. Jupiter"s big red spot: contains ammonia, methane, water. Composition: 90% h, 10% he (like the sun) = very low density. Europa: surface of moving ice sheets with liquid water flowing underneath, relatively young surface (small # craters, evidence of a liquid, salty ocean under the icy crust, weak magnetic field, chemicals needed to sustain extremophiles present. Largest moon in solar system bigger than mercury. Large percentage is water: mostly covered in ice, might also have liquid, salty ocean deep under icy crust, evidence of resurfacing from water eruptions/cryovolcanoes. Callisto: possibly >50% water and is least dense moon, might also have liquid, salty ocean deep under icy crust, possibly too far from jupiter to be affected by tidal heating, not well differentiated.
