Strange readings from a dead spacecraft reveal new evidence of water on Europa

[brooklynite]

Source: Los Angeles Times

A spacecraft wouldn't recognize evidence of a lunar geyser if that geyser hit it in the face. Luckily, the scientists on the ground did.

Researchers using 21-year-old data from NASA's Galileo spacecraft have found evidence of a plume of material coming from the surface of Jupiter's icy moon Europa. The discovery offers a new line of evidence for an ocean beneath its frozen crust and a promising path forward in the search for extraterrestrial life.

The results show that old data from long-gone spacecraft "hold a lot of secrets we haven't yet uncovered," said Lori Glaze, acting director of NASA's Planetary Science Division.

If humans are to look for life on other worlds, one of the first places scientists say they want to probe is cold, distant Europa. One of the four large moons circling our solar system's biggest planet, Europa's frigid shell is thought to hide a global ocean that may hold twice as much water as Earth.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-jupiter-europa-plume-20180514-story.html

[luc mont]

1. On Europa?

In Europa is what we're talking about. Rec regardless.

[Fullduplexxx]

2. I dont get the whole search for life thing especially for microbial life

To each their own i suppose

[Crash2Parties]

6. Finding life elsewhere would make us far less unique than we assumed we were.

It would also potentially shake the pillars of not a few conservative religions.

From a practical standpoint it would give examples of evolution in environments different from our own.

Or show that life on Earth came from somewhere else.

[Hortensis]

9. :) The search for new knowledge and understanding

is not accidentally related to advances in the human condition, of course. That said, I'm as clueless as you about what would be on current lists of potential practical applications. Just glad all these passionately committed minds around the globe are busy at it.

Btw, the insidiously nurtured pop fad of contempt for science in favor of a factless world of demons and fear, manifested politically by Republican stuffing of governments and judiciaries at all levels with science deniers, has caused record numbers of people "with backgrounds in science, math, engineering and technology" to run for office this year.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/372200-record-number-of-scientists-running-for-office-in-2018

[lagomorph777]

12. Yeah, who cares about life, the universe, and everything?

Let's just hide in our caves and eat nuts and berries.

So sad.

[Fullduplexxx]

13. Lol really is that what you think i said ?

Why is searching for microbial life important?

[lagomorph777]

15. It would be proof of concept.

One extraterrestrial microbe doubles the known number of times that life has evolved in the universe. It would be impossible at that point to argue that we're alone. If it happened twice, it happened billions of times in billions of ways.

[MicaelS]

18. It might give a bunch of religious fundamentalist a kick in the ass.

Many of them think Earth is only place life exists in this Universe.

[NickB79]

20. Because we were once nothing but microbial life

All intelligent life has to evolve from it at first.

[MicaelS]

17. It might validate the theory of Panspermia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panspermia#Case_studies

Panspermia proposes that bodies such as comets transported life forms such as bacteria complete with their DNA through space to the Earth. Panspermia is the hypothesis that life exists throughout the Universe, distributed by space dust, meteoroids, asteroids, comets, planetoids, and also by spacecraft in the form of unintended contamination by microorganisms.

Panspermia is a hypothesis proposing that microscopic life forms that can survive the effects of space, such as extremophiles, become trapped in debris ejected into space after collisions between planets and small Solar System bodies that harbor life. Some organisms may travel dormant for an extended amount of time before colliding randomly with other planets or intermingling with protoplanetary disks. Under certain ideal impact circumstances (into a body of water, for example), and ideal conditions on a new planet's surfaces, it is possible that the surviving organisms could become active and begin to colonize their new environment. Panspermia is not meant to address how life began, just the method that may cause its distribution in the Universe.

[rocktivity]

3. Strange readings? Dead spacecraft? Europa?

Sounds familiar -- are you sure this is late breaking news?

rocktivity

[BigOleDummy]

4. I think

its freaking awesome! Not just the findings but the fact that we are still recovering data from the Galileo mission.

[truthisfreedom]

5. I love distant spacecraft!

Love love love!

[laserhaas]

7. Me too

Was born 300 years too soon

😖

[jimmy the one]

8. satellite discovers water in amsterdamster

I thought this was going to be an onion magazine satire. Since some european countries pronounce & spell Europe as Europa, I was getting ready for a chuckle about a new satellite 'finding water in amsterdamster', but alas, reading just splashed cold water on my dreams.
Finding water in amsterdamster, get it? dikes & all!

[zanana1]

10. The idea of any kind of life in the universe...

Gives me a thrill. Even microbial life would uplift me. Just to know that we're not alone in the universe would mean a new understanding of life.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Keep the people fighting among themselves from an emotional, identity perspective

Thanks for the thread brooklynite

[nykym]

14. SHHHHHHHH!

Don't tell Nestle!

[AllaN01Bear]

16. all these worlds are yours , except europa. attempt no landing here .

cool stuff.

[MicaelS]

19. Wonderful great post. Thanks n/t