Physical PropertiesDiameter: 3122 kmDensity: 3.01 kmDistance from

Jupiter: 671,000 kmAverage Surface

Temperature: 50K-125K

Composition Of Europa

•Europa is composed of a water ice lithosphere, possibly a liquid water ocean, a silicate rock mantle, and an iron-nickel core.

•Europa’s density is 3.01 g/cm3•This indicates it has a very small iron core•Large silicate mantle•Water ice/liquid lithosphere•Earth’s density is 5.515g/cm3

•Best estimates suggest there are 3x1019 m3 of liquid water beneath Europa’s surface.

•Slightly more than 2 times the volume of Earth’s oceans

•What observations support these conclusion?

•Europa is covered in ice•Its covered in a lot of ice•You can’t see any silicate rocks or metallic deposits on the surface

Processes of Europa

Impact Cratering

PIA01661: Large Impact Structures on Europa Scale: This is referring to the multi-ring crater. I think this impact is

named Tyre. While the effective crater, which is somewhat larger than the prominent large bull's eye feature, is about 40 kilometers (25

miles) across, the entire structure is much larger. The concentric rings display relatively little relief.Date taken: March 29, 1998

Processes of Europa

Volcanism

PIA00459: Europa During Voyager 2 Closest Approach

Date taken: July 9 1996

Processes of Europa

Tectonism

PIA00588: Europa Ridges, Hills and Domes 

Scale: 140 kilometers by 130 kilometers (87 miles by 81 miles) Date taken: February 20, 1997 by

Galileo Orbiter

Age of the Surface of EuropaYoung Surface Few Craters

Picture shows ice rafting taken in on 2/4/1998 by the Galileo spacecraft the picture has a scale of 70 X 30 kilometers

Uniqueness of EuropaTidal heatingWaterFew Craters

JEO•JEO( jupiter europa orbital mission)

•$2.7 billion•Launch 2020, arrive in Jupiter area 2025, next year study Europa

•To learn about:• Chemistry of Europa’s atmosphere and surface• Geological processes in action there• Its ocean/ice (how thick)• Habitability of Europa

•To prepare for future missions (landing sites, equipment, etc.)