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Europa's 'Wall Demon' Hints at Hidden Ocean Life
16 Dec
Summary
- A star-shaped formation called 'Damhán Alla' was found on Jupiter's moon Europa.
- This 1.8-mile-wide pattern may preserve evidence of salty liquid water beneath the ice.
- The discovery suggests subsurface ocean material could mix with surface microbes.
A unique, star-shaped geological formation, dubbed 'Damhán Alla' or 'wall demon,' has been identified on Jupiter's moon Europa by NASA's Galileo spacecraft. This massive 1.8-mile-wide pattern, located within the Manannán crater, is thought to be a preserved record of salty liquid water that once flowed and froze on the moon's surface, potentially forming due to heat from a meteor impact.
The 'wall demon' formation bears resemblance to 'lake stars' observed on Earth, which are patterns created when water pushes up through ice on lakes and ponds. The presence of such a feature on Europa suggests that materials capable of harboring life from the moon's subsurface ocean might interact with any undiscovered surface microbes, simplifying the search for extraterrestrial life.
Europa's vast subsurface ocean, believed to be active, makes it a prime candidate for life. Features like the 'wall demon' can offer crucial insights into subsurface conditions, potentially indicating the presence of local brine pools. This discovery reinforces Europa's status as a top location for astrobiological research within our solar system.
