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Explanation: The ridges on Europa may be caused by cold water volcanoes. Europa, one of the largest moons of Jupiter, has been the source of intense scrutiny since speculation increased of there being oceans beneath its icy surface. Currently the Galileo spacecraft orbiting Jupiter is on an extended mission designed, in part, to study Europa's surface in greater detail. The above image highlights features common to Europa's surface: pure blue water ice beneath lighter ridges that run for many kilometers. These ridges may result from volcanic cracks in the ice where emerging liquid water froze upon exposure to the cold of deep space. The reasons for the colors of the ridges remain uncertain.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Jupiter - Europa
Publications with words: Jupiter - Europa
See also:
- APOD: 2023 June 25 Á Lightning on Jupiter
- APOD: 2023 June 13 Á Moons Across Jupiter
- APOD: 2023 May 24 Á Observatory Aligned with Moon Occulting Jupiter
- APOD: 2023 May 23 Á Jupiters Swirls from Juno
- Galileo s Europa
- APOD: 2023 March 15 Á Jupiter and Venus Converge over Germany
- APOD: 2023 March 6 Á Jupiter and Venus from Earth