Vapor was detected in the atmosphere of the solar system’s largest moon, the cone

For the first time, Astronomers Detected water vaporAtmosphere Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons. This finding reinforces its interest நிலா We know today that she is There is a sea of ​​liquid salt water, Trapped between two layers of ice more than 160 km from its surface. Just like Europe CallistoThe other two moons of Jupiter.

We owe this discovery to a team of astronomers Lawrence Roth You KTH Royal Institute of Technology From Stockholm, Sweden, digs up old dataHubble In order to prepare observations of Mission Juno, This incredible invention. In fact, underlined ESA and NASA press release, Where there is water there may be life as we know it “However, if this condition is necessary for the existence of a life form, no matter how simple it may be, it is not enough. You need energy and essential elements ( Carbon C, L ‘Hydrogen H, L ‘Azot N, l ‘Oxygen Of Phosphorus B and The Sulfur S) Compiled under the acronym CNOPS.

Initial data was misunderstood

By comparing the spectra made by the Hubble Stylus instrumentUV In 1998 and 2010, with the most recent observations in 2018 by the COS instrument for measuring the amount of atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Ganymede, astronomers realized that the initial data had been misunderstood. Although this is considered from 1998 observations, the presence of nuclear oxygen in the atmosphere Conimet, Astronomers concluded that, in the end, unlike the more molecular oxygen in the galaxy’s atmosphere.

To illustrate this finding, Lawrence Lot’s team observed that the surface temperature of the canyon remained close throughout the day and near noon.equator, The surface of the ice is hot enough to emit small amounts Molecules Water. In fact, the differences between the UV images obtained at different times (from 1998, 2010 and 2018) are directly related to the expected location of water in the lunar atmosphere. ” Initially, o₂ Observed, Explained Lawrence Roth. This occurs when charged particles erode the surface of the ice. The water vapor we now measure comes from the sublimation of ice caused by heat vapor leakage from H.₂O Warm icy areas. »

Jupiter’s moons are believed to be home to deep habitats

This finding reinforces the glamor Work juice Its purpose is to monitor the European Space Agency, especially Canyme. Launched in 2022, Juice Will reach Jupiter in 2029. He will work for at least three years to see Jupiter and conduct in-depth studies of its three largest ice moons (Europa, Gonimet and Callisto). ” Beyond ours, juice can be very important in determining the viability of planets that can show oceans. “Underlined, Günther Hasinger, Director of Science Programs at ESA. If the schedule goes as planned, this work is expected to be completed by June 2033.

The results of the Lawrence Roth team are therefore ” Provide juice tool groups with accurate information to streamline monitoring programs to improve juice usage .