Life could exist on Jupiter’s moons

Io is one of the hottest bodies in the solar system with hundreds of craters and electromagnetic activity. It has high temperatures and contains many metals and chemicals such as sulfur and silica. However, some research shows that extraterrestrial microorganisms may exist here.

Volcanic Moon Io orbits Jupiter. The scientific community has long rejected the possibility of extraterrestrial existence on Io due to its enormous heat and lava-covered surface, unsuitable for life.

Jupiter’s moon Io is similar in size to Earth’s.

Jupiter’s moon Io is similar in size to Earth’s. (Photo: NASA).

However, much recent scientific evidence has caused researchers to change their minds. They believe life still exists below Io. Organisms are likely growing inside the lava caves, pushing igneous rocks to the surface of this satellite.

Theo CNET, the claim that Io has life is an interesting view. Recently, NASA’s Juno probe, which specializes in exploring Jupiter and the satellites orbiting it, sent back photos of Io. These images give scientists new glimpses of the surface of this satellite.

Most of us know that Io is an old satellite, discovered while the Galileo space probe was exploring Jupiter’s moon system 20 years ago. With more than 400 active volcanoes, Io is one of the hottest and geologically active bodies in the solar system.

This satellite is similar in size to Earth’s Moon but is full of volcanoes, lava, lakes of boiling lava, steep cliffs spewing smoke… Another big difference from Io is that it can exist extraterrestrial. This is an interesting point that encourages scientists to further their research on Jupiter’s satellites.

Lava vents appear everywhere on the surface of the satellite Io.

Lava vents appear everywhere on the surface of the Io satellite. (Photo: NASA).

Scientists believe that microorganisms may grow inside lava caves, specifically pushing lava from the planet’s core toward Io’s surface. Earth also has similar ecosystems, growing inside lava caves. Therefore, scientists believe that it is very possible for extraterrestrial life to appear in these lava caves.

Theo Think big, a simulation experiment showed that the heat on this moon helps maintain the layer of lava beneath the planet’s surface. However, some of these volcanic eruptions on the Moon are so large that they have pushed lava hundreds of kilometers into space. The caves crossed by these lavas are where life exists in Io.

However, water shortage is a major problem on the Martian moon. In return, most of Io’s surface is covered in sulfurous gel and sulfur dioxide. Therefore, scientists believe that sulfur will be the element that replaces water, fueling the source of life of the microbial ecosystem here.

According to CNET, Io may not be the ideal place for extraterrestrial existence as we think, but it cannot be denied that there is still life here, outside of Earth. This discovery will help scientists in their search for aliens in space.

Article source: Zing