We now know the thickness of the ice shell surrounding this moon of Jupiter

Within the solar system, Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has intrigued scientists for decades. Recently, a study conducted by researchers has revealed new details about the composition and structure of its icy crust, thus paving the way for implications regarding the possibility of extraterrestrial life.


Since the early space exploration missions, such as that of the Voyager spacecraft, hints of an ocean beneath Europa's icy surface were detected. However, it was thanks to the Galileo mission that data were collected to support this theory. The probe's observations highlighted signs of geological activity, suggesting the presence of underground activity. Moreover, variations in the moon's magnetic field indicate the probable presence of a saltwater ocean beneath the frozen surface.

Realizing the importance of this discovery, researchers sought to refine estimates of the thickness of Europa's icy crust. Their work, published in Science Advances, revealed that this icy shell is at least 12.4 miles (about 20 kilometers) thick, a substantial amount of ice that protects the underground ocean from the surrounding cold space.

This study also uncovered that the ice forming Europa's crust exhibits varied thermal characteristics. The outer part of this shell, with a thickness of about 3.7 to 5 miles (approximately 6 to 8 kilometers), is conductive, while the ice below shows signs of relatively warm thermal convection. It is important to note, however, that this 12.4-mile thickness may vary from one region of the moon to another, complicating our understanding of its geological structure.

These recent discoveries also raise questions about other moons of Jupiter, such as Ganymede and Callisto, which could also harbor internal oceans. However, the ice shells of these moons are believed to be much thicker than that of Europa, which would make the search for life beneath their surfaces even more complex.

Thus, this study opens new perspectives for understanding the icy worlds of our solar system and the quest for extraterrestrial life beyond Earth.