Europa Life? Jupiter Moon's Hydrogen Peroxide Could Provide Vital Energy Source, NASA Says

"... I'm reasonably sure there must be life in this solar system, on Mars or on Europa, and other places..." ~ Arthur C. Clarke


"E.T., Solar System, Space, Space Program, Science News

By: Tariq Malik
Published: 04/08/2013 08:52 AM EDT on SPACE.com


A potential energy source for life appears to be common on Jupiter's icy moon Europa, a new study suggests.

An analysis of infrared observations of Europa revealed that hydrogen peroxide is abundant on the ice-covered Jovian moon. If the hydrogen peroxide finds a way beneath Europa's surface and mixes with the moon's liquid water ocean, it could be a vital energy source for any life that might exist there, scientists said.

"Life as we know it needs liquid water, elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur, and it needs some form of chemical or light energy to get the business of life done," study leader Kevin Hand, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said in a statement. "Europa has the liquid water and elements, and we think that compounds like peroxide might be an important part of the energy requirement. The availability of oxidants like peroxide on Earth was a critical part of the rise of complex, multicellular life."..."

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