For each three and a half days that pass on Earth, moon Europa rotates Jupiter. When analyzed considering the size aspect, it takes the 6th position but its uniqueness is brought out by the fact that it is one of the smoothest objects. Its surface has got no mountains jutting from it. Neither does it have canyons scar. This is a moon that has been sheathed in ice. Conditions under the ice may be a resemblance of those on earth.
Scientists have for a long time been suspected that beneath Europa’s ice there is an ocean and that the ocean can support life. The analogy used here is that puzzles of life support can be found in Europa. When radiation is bounced off Jupiter, the icy surface of Europa is split in the molecular level and this creates oxygen. Below this surface, the theoretical ocean continues to combine with rocks, forming new minerals. This process is referred to as serpentinization and it leads to generation of hydrogen.
The important thing at this stage is the ratios. The computer model from NASA has measured that Oxygen is being produced 10 times faster than hydrogen; this is the same ratio we record on Earth. That ratio is important and shows that there is the chemical energy necessary for the support of life in Europa’s ocean, even though there is no volcanic activity going on. That may seem something hard to happen but Antarctica on earth resembles Europa conditions. Life has been found in Antarctica on many occasions.
And even if life has not yet taken advantage of the Europa conditions at the moment, that may be an opening door for humans to possess it. Depending on whether it really resembles the earth conditions, we could say let an undersea colony be built and then rear see breeding creatures that we can feed on.
Of course this just a theory because the possibility that Europa is made up of ice up to its core is viable. Similarly, something different may as well be beneath this smooth surface. For now we are not sure until a detailed research is done and finalized. That can happen in the next decade.
