Publication Date:
2019-07-17
Description:
Several independent geological and geophysical investigations suggest that Europa and Ganymede contain subsurface oceans. Using Jupiter's rotating magnetic field as a primary signal, the magnetometer experiment onboard Galileo has measured secondary induction signals emanating from Europa, Ganymede, and surprisingly Callisto. The strong electromagnetic induction from these moons suggests that large global electrical conductors are located just below their icy crusts. A detailed analysis reveals that global salty oceans with salinity similar to the Earth's ocean and thicknesses in the range of approx. 6-100 kms can explain the induction observed by the Galileo magnetometer. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.
Keywords:
Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration
Type:
Forum on Innovative Approaches to Outer Planetary Exploration 2001-2020; 48; LPI-Contrib-1084
Format:
text
Permalink