https://sites.google.com/site/abysimus/
Europa is commonly believed to be Jupiter's second moon but actually, it is the sixth. It is the second Galilean moon (i.e. discovered by Galileo), but there are four smaller inner moons and one Galilean moon, Io (pronounced --eye-oh-), that precede it. Because Europa's orbit is not perfectly circular, it is subject to flexing forces from the giant energy sink, Jupiter. To a much smaller extent, it is also subject to resonance flexing from other Jovian moons. This kneads Europa's interior and generates enormous amounts of heat energy. A more visible example of this is the Jovian moon Io which is a seething cauldron of volcanic activity due to its much closer proximity to Jupiter. Additionally, Europa has a network of surface features, which clearly demonstrate cracking of the surface ice and upwelling of liquid water. Many such features have similar counterparts on our own planet. The overwhelming consensus, therefore, is that Europa has a global ocean beneath the ice. Scientific opinion differs (with good reasons on all sides) as to how thick the surfacial ice crust is before liquid water is encountered.
The different models for the estimation of the ice shell thickness give values between a few kilometers and tens of kilometers. This leads to a volume of Europa's oceans of slightly more than two times the volume of Earth's oceans. This seems incredible since Europa is of a size comparable to our own moon. The reason it is possible, however, is due to the huge ocean depth under the ice, which may be about 100 km (60 mi) deep. In contrast, the deepest part of our oceans is in the Mariana Trench and that is only about seven miles deep (and life thrives there). Just imagine the diversity of the biosphere that could occupy the volume hypothesized for Europa. As J. B. S. Haldane admonishes us -I have no doubt that in reality the future will be vastly more surprising than anything I can imagine. Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose-.
As to hypotheses about the possibility of life in these oceans, speculations (often supported by rigorous technical analysis) abound. One such speculation, which I find particularly appealing, holds that the tremendous internal heat generated in Europa's core will inevitably give rise to geothermal vents similar to those found along the mid-ocean rifts, which encircle our planet like the seams on a baseball. I depict many of these in the video. On our planet, such geothermal areas have given rise to entire chemosynthetic (i.e. do not require sunlight) ecosystems.
Many scientists maintain that such places could well be the origin and source of life on earth. Since genesis obviously happened here, they argue, why not elsewhere. This contention I heartily endorse. Most of the life forms presented in my video are bioluminescent (generate light). On our planet, bioluminescence has evolved independently as many as fifty separate times and as much as eighty percent of ocean life forms make light. There are many interesting reasons why this is so and if you want to see a video on the subject by one of the worlds' leading experts click on the Edith Widder video in my Favorites list.
The great historical author David McCullough in advising audiences on how to write a book often says --Write the book you would like to read-. In my way, I am taking his advice. I have made the video I would like to watch. This was a tough one, but I like the result. I hope you do too.
Suggested reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon)#Surface_features
http://books.google.com/books?id=9G6vsfaO4ukC&lpg=PP1&dq=jupiter'...
Music in this video:
http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/index.html?feels[]=Uplifting
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The Hidden Ocean of Europa 2by stevebd110,023 views
Beautiful video! I am honestly hoping to hear of the discovery of life on Europa in my lifetime, and that day will be enormously exciting.
TilveranNavarre 1 year ago
@TilveranNavarre That, my friend, is a sentiment we both share. Not only will it be enormously exciting, it will rock our world. Although it may happen in your lifetime, it probably won’t happen in mine. Still, hope springs eternal. Your kind words are much appreciated.
abysimus 1 year ago
There is not much to say on this one."Just Another Gem".As always...
drdickbigger 1 year ago
@drdickbigger It keeps me off the streets.
abysimus 1 year ago
......Wow...
Zaxxtastic 1 year ago
@Zaxxtastic Inducing the state of –Wowness- is my ultimate objective.
abysimus 1 year ago