Astrophysics Presentation Elon University Spring 2010 Jessica Jackson
Is There Life on the Moons of the Gas Giants?
Jupiter’s Galilean Moons Io Europa Ganymede Callisto
How did moons come about? Formed systematically with Jupiter Possibly formed from sub nebula around Jupiter
Why isn’t Jupiter a star? Sun: 78% hydrogen 19.8% helium Jupiter: 89% hydrogen 11% helium
Mass! Sun produces heat energy from fusion. Sun’s core = 60,000,000 °C Jupiter’s core = 33,000 °C Jupiter would need to be 60X more massive to be a star.
Jupiter’s Io Iron-rich core, silicate mantle and crust Entirely molten at least once
JJupiter’s Europa Layer of liquid-water below Europa’s surface
Saturn’s Titan
Huygens Probe Discoveries Wind speeds up to 210 m/s Nitrogen 87%-99% Methane 1%-6% Argon 0%-6% Atmospheric pressure is 1.5 atm Temperature 93 K
Liquid water on Titan? No, but methane
Saturn’s Enceladus
Saturn’s Mimas Herschel Crater
Uranus’ Miranda