QUESTION:
QA: Life on Europa

It has been proved that there is much radiation around Jupiter.  Now,
scientists are now wondering if there is life under the surface of Europa.
Wouldn't the radiation prevent the possibility that life may be on Europa,
or is Europa far enough away for Jupiter?




ANSWER from Duane Bindschadler on May 2, 1997:


It is not so much that Europa is far from Jupiter. Europa is only about
ten Jupiter radii from the center of Jupiter. At that distance there is quite
a lot of radiation -- certainly more than most living things would be 
able to withstand for more than a short period of time.

What that means is that if there is life on Europa, it is probably life
*in* Europa. In other words, any living things need to be buried at least 
a few feet beneath the icy surface. The ice above them would act to 
screen out most radiation. I'm not sure exactly how deeply any living
things would have to be buried. That's a good question for exobiologists
to consider!

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Duane L. Bindschadler
DDS/MAG Team
(818) 393-1139 (voice)
(818) 393-4530 (FAX)
bindschadler@gllsvc.jpl.nasa.gov