Now that you have established an understanding of the more difficult obstacles faced during a long-term space flight, the first step in an interstellar voyage is to determine exactly where to go! This is a difficult decision to make because there are so many choices, and we do not have the luxury due to their distance to visit before we go. So, how will we know where to choose?
The examination of the Jovian type planets we have in our solar system has revealed that each one of these planets has dozens of moons in orbit around it. They are like tiny solar systems! Even better is that Jovian planets are around 10 times the diameter of the Earth, so they are much easier to spot from afar. But there’s a problem. Jovian planets have no surface, so clearly we cannot go there to colonize such a planet, and we also know that wherever we go it must have liquid water.
Many of the Jovian moons appear to be made of water ice. If these moons are made of water ice, can this ice be melted? Is it possible that our search for extrasolar planets that are best suited for life are not planets at all, but are rather icy moons?
Instructions
For this assignment, evaluate the habitability of one of the Jovian icy moons—Europa. To successfully complete this assignment, your evaluation should be 2–3 pages and address the following:
1.The average depth of the Earth’s oceans is about 2.5 miles, and the maximum depth is just under 7 miles.
oWhat is the estimated depth of Europa’s ocean?
oHow do astronomers know this value?
2.What are the three basic ingredients necessary for life as we know it?
oDoes Europa have all three basic ingredients?
3.Europa is so far from the Sun that its surface, which is mostly composed of water, is frozen at such a low temperature that its hardness is similar to that of rock.
oWhat is the source of Europa’s heat, if it is not the Sun?
4.Astrobiologists contend that a most important property of a habitable planet or moon is the existence of a strong magnetic field to protect life from deadly radiation from the Sun.
oDoes Europa have a magnetic field?
5.To conclude your evaluation, examine whether you would choose Europa to search for habitability and why.
