Jupiter's moon Europa produces a thousand tons of oxygen per day!

NASA's Juno mission data has revealed that Jupiter's moon Europa produces 1,000 tons of oxygen per day. This finding was made possible through observations by the spacecraft.

Europa is the fourth-largest moon of Jupiter and is believed to harbor a saltwater ocean beneath its bright, icy crust. This makes Europa one of the potential areas in our solar system where life could exist. However, the presence of oxygen is also crucial for life, and whether Europa meets this requirement has been a question mark.

Observations from NASA's Juno spacecraft indicate that Europa's icy surface produces 1,000 tons of oxygen per day. This oxygen production functions similarly to photosynthesis on Earth. Charged particles from space bombard Europa's icy crust, splitting frozen water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Therefore, the icy crust, often referred to as Europa's "lung," contributes to oxygen production.

Researchers noted that the oxygen production is lower than previous estimates. However, there is no definitive information on whether this amount is sufficient for life.

Nevertheless, researchers suggested that the oxygen could reach Europa's ocean and be used as a potential energy source for living organisms there. The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission and NASA's Europa Clipper mission aim to investigate the existence and characteristics of Europa's ocean in greater detail.

News Source: 12punto