New Research Challenges Previous Findings of Water Vapour Plumes on Europa
It Looks Like Europa Doesn't Have Plumes of Water Vapour After All

Image: Universe Today
Recent research led by Dr. Lorenz Roth from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden casts doubt on the existence of water vapour plumes on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. Initial claims from 2014 and 2016 suggested plumes were present, but new analysis shows a significant reduction in confidence regarding these findings, indicating the emissions may be statistical noise rather than evidence of water vapour.
- 01The initial detection of plumes was based on Hubble Space Telescope observations, which are now being re-evaluated.
- 02The confidence level in the existence of plumes has dropped from 99.9% to below 90%, according to Dr. Roth.
- 03The new analysis indicates that previous emissions detected may actually originate from Earth's atmosphere rather than Europa.
- 04No localized emissions were found in the observations that could confirm the presence of water vapour.
- 05The Europa Clipper mission, set to arrive in 2031, will provide further insights into Europa's ocean and atmosphere.
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In a significant turn of events, new research led by Dr. Lorenz Roth from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden questions the existence of water vapour plumes on Europa, Jupiter's icy moon. Initial claims made in 2014 and 2016 suggested that plumes were present, based on observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. However, Roth's latest study, published in Astronomy and Astrophysics, indicates that the confidence in these findings has dropped from 99.9% to below 90%. The reanalysis shows that the emissions may not be from water vapour plumes but could instead be statistical noise influenced by the positioning of Europa in the Hubble images. The study also highlights that the emissions detected could originate from Earth's extended atmosphere rather than from Europa itself. Despite the lack of evidence for plumes, researchers confirm that Europa still likely has a subsurface ocean, heated by tidal forces. The upcoming NASA Europa Clipper mission, scheduled to arrive in 2031, aims to further investigate this moon and provide clarity on its ocean and atmospheric conditions.
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