Europa Glows in the Dark - Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion Nov. 11, 2020
Europa, one of the four large moons of Jupiter, glows in multiple colors, a new JPL study finds.
Astronomers find Europa glows in the dark, shining and dancing like it is taking part in a planetary rave.
By James Maynard
An exaggerated artist’s concept of Europa glowing green from salt bathed in radiation. The shade of green used in this image matches the peak wavelength seen in this recent study. Image credit: The Cosmic Companion / Created in Universe Sandbox
Laboratory experiments have re-created the surface of Europa, one of the four large moons of Jupiter, with a surprising result — Europa glows in the dark. While we typically see the side of Europa facing Earth, this new study shows what this world might look like from its other side.
This discovery is more than an interesting fact about the Solar System — it reveals secrets of the enigmatic moon.
Europa on the Rocks
The icy surface of Europa is rich with salt, including magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) and sodium chloride (common table salt). Each type of the mineral radiates specific wavelengths of light when releasing energy. These studies found that salts within the icy crust of the Jovian moon can glow in the dark.
Read more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/europa-glows-in-the-dark
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