Astronomy Picture Of The Day: NH3 (Ammonia) in the subsurface ocean of Europa

 

#NASA, #Space, #astronomy, #διάστημα,

Black Hole@konstructivizm

Scientists have detected NH3 (Ammonia) in the subsurface ocean of Jupiter's moon Europa, a discovery with major implications for its potential habitability The presence of NH3-bearing components on icy planetary bodies has important implications for their geology and potential habitability. NH3-bearing materials were transported to the surface via effusive cryovolcanism or similar mechanisms during Europa’s recent geological past. The presence of ammoniated compounds implies a thinner ice shell and a thicker, chemically reduced, high-pH subsurface ocean on Europa . With the detection of NH3-bearing components, this study presents the first evidence of a nitrogen-bearing species on Europa— an observation of astrobiological significance given nitrogen’s essential role in the chemistry of life.