Artistic vision of a jet of water vapor ejected from the cold and icy surface of the satellite Jupiter of Europe
The study of two potential locations of the jets of Jupiter’s satellite in Europe showed the absence of expected hot spot signatures, in contrast to Enceladus, where the plumes show a distinct temperature growth.
Scientists analyzed the data of the Galileo mission, but did not find any temperature signatures. This is surprising and, perhaps, suggests that these jets are too weak, are rare, unlike the permanent ones on Enceladus, or they do not exist at all.
Loops on satellites represent a jet of gas heading up from the surface of the planet. For such an action requires a source of energy. As a rule, it heats the surface around the jet, creating a discharge. This is observed on Enceladus in a hot area. Perhaps the source in Europe is different from Enceladus, if, of course, it exists at all. The findings are based on early observations of the Galileo mission of the northern region from the Puil crater. Repeated analysis of the magnetometer and plasma data indicated a source 1000 km north-east of the original site. More information about jets can be obtained with in-depth studies.
