The icy moon of Jupiter, captured by NASA during its close flyby last week, may be home to aliens.
The new images were taken during the probe's pass of Europa and then sent to enthusiastic image processors who gave them an almost artistic treatment.
The Southwest Research Center in Texas said in a statement that citizen scientists have been "invaluable in processing the numerous images we get with Jupiter." Their work gives a perspective that draws upon both science and art. They help lead the way by using our images to find new things.
Underwater snow could provide insight into the icy crust.
There are previously unexplored surface features that could shed light on processes occurring in the potentially life-bearing ocean beneath the thick ice crust. The closest image of the moon was taken from an altitude of 955 miles above the surface of the moon. A region called Annwn Regio is known for a maze of ridges and cracks scaring the icy surface.
The image shows the surface with a resolution of about 1 km per pixel, showing many bright and dark troughs. The Galileo probe studied Callanish Crater in the late 1990s and early 2000s and found it to be a circular dark spot.
Two of the images show the same portion of the surface, while the other has enhanced color contrast that makes the surface features stand out. Shadows cast by scars can be seen in the more processed image.
The plain white and brownish moon is an extravagant look thanks to a highly stylized image by FernandoGarcianavarro.
"Juno's citizen scientists are part of a global united effort, which leads to both fresh perspectives and new insights," Candy Hansen said in the statement. "Many times, citizen scientists will skip over the potential scientific applications of an image entirely, and focus on how they inspire their imaginations or artistic sense, and we welcome their creativity."
The closest approach to the moon by a craft since 2000 was made by the Galileo mission. Jupiter was hurtling through space at 15 miles per second. NASA said in a statement that the maneuver adjusted the probe's trajectory around Jupiter, which reduced the time it would take to circle the gas giant from 43 to 38 days.
A visit to the volcanic moon Io is planned for next year as well as a visit to the largest moon in the solar system last year.
The four main Jovian moons are fascinating, but the one that is most intriguing is the one that may be the most likely to host extraterrestrial life.
NASA's planned Europa Clipper mission may be able to find evidence of life in the depths of the ocean. With the exception of our own natural satellite, Europa Clipper will be the best explored moon in the solar system.
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