Water Vapor Plumes on Europa
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- Visualizations by:
- Michael Lentz and
- Walt Feimer
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- Directed by:
- Michael Lentz
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- Produced by:
- David Ladd
- View full credits
An international research team led out of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center have obtained the first direct detection of water vapor on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. This video explains the findings.
Music provided by Killer Tracks: "Cross the Line" - Wally Gagel & Xandy Barry
Keck Observatory visuals provided by: Sean Goebel/W. M. Keck Observatory
What makes Jupiter’s moon Europa so alluring is the possibility that it may possess all the ingredients necessary for life. Scientists have evidence that one of these ingredients, liquid water, is present under the icy surface and may sometimes erupt into space in huge geysers. However, no one has been able to confirm the presence of water in these plumes by direct measurement of the water molecule itself. Now, an international research team led out of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland has detected the water vapor for the first time above Europa’s surface. The team measured the vapor by peering at Europa through one of the world’s biggest telescopes in Hawaii. Confirming that water vapor is present above Europa helps scientists better understand the inner workings of the moon.
Spanish Version:
Un equipo internacional de investigadores liderado por el Centro Goddard de la NASA obtuvo la primera detección directa de vapor de agua en la luna de Júpiter Europa. Este video explica el descubrimiento.
Música proporcionada por Killer Tracks: "Cross the Line" - Wally Gagel y Xandy Barry
Visuales del Observatorio Keck proporcionados por: Sean Goebel / Observatorio W.M. Keck
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Music Provided by Killer Tracks
Keck Observatory visuals by Sean Goebel
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Animators
- Michael Lentz (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
- Walt Feimer (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
- Bailee DesRocher (USRA)
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Scientist
- Lucas Paganini (NASA/HQ)
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Artistic director
- Michael Lentz (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
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Producer
- David Ladd (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.) [Lead]
Papers
This visualization is based on the following papers:- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0933-6
Related pages
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ID: 13693 Produced Video
Ocean Worlds: The Search for Life
Read moreNASA scientists discuss the search for life on the ocean worlds of our solar system and beyond.Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.Universal Production Music: “Superluminal” by Lee Groves and Peter George Marett; “Earthrise,” “Prism Lights,” and “Uncertain Ahead” by Ben Niblett and Jon Cotton; “Infinite Sky” and “Human Architecture” by Andy Blythe and Marten Joustra; “Imagine If” by Paul Werner || Life as we know it requires three ingredients: energy, organic molecules, and liquid water. Our search for life beyond Earth is a search for planets, dwarf planets, and moons that harbor substantial liquid water. We call these places “ocean worlds.” We’re learning that ocean worlds could be ubiquitous in the galaxy. Just in our solar system, we have found evidence of oceans on Saturn’s moons Titan and Enceladus; Jupiter’s moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto; Neptune’s moon Triton; and on Pluto. We also believe that Venus and Mars may have had oceans billions of years ago. Could they have supported life? NASA’s research on oceans also includes our own planet and helps us to better understand the role of Earth’s ocean in our planet’s climate system. As we learn more about our own oceans, we will better understand worlds beyond Earth. Discover more about ocean worlds. ||
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