Astronomers have modeled the invisible part of Jupiter's moon

NASA laboratory experiments have recreated the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter's four large moons. These

experiments have shown that the celestial body glows in the dark. Scientists usually see the side of Europa facing Earth, but a new study has revealed what the celestial body might look like from the other side.

Researchers have found that the ice surfaceEurope is rich in salt, including magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride (table salt). Each type of mineral emits specific wavelengths of light when energy is released. These studies have shown that salts within the moon's icy crust can glow in the dark. Moreover, Europe contains a huge ocean under its frozen surface.

The thickness of Europa's ice shell is 15up to 25 kilometers, it floats in the ocean at a depth of 60 to 150 kilometers. Europe is only a quarter of the Earth's diameter, and its oceans can contain twice as much water as all of Earth's oceans combined.

NASA

The forces of gravity between Europa, Jupiter and itssatellites create cracks on the frozen surface. In some places, the ocean rises through these cracks in the ice. Therefore, by studying the outer surface of the ice, one can learn about the hidden oceans of Europe. Jupiter's radiation raises the energy level of salt molecules as the Moon makes its way through the planetary system. When these molecules relax, energy is released as visible light.

“These high-energy charged particlesincluding electrons interact with the salt-rich surface, which leads to complex physical and chemical processes, ”the scientists note. Europa's surface glows green, blue and white, depending on the types of salts that emit the light.

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