Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper

James H. Roberts; William B. McKinnon; Catherine M. Elder; Gabriel Tobie; John B. Biersteker; Duncan Young; Ryan S. Park; Gregor Steinbrügge; Francis Nimmo; Samuel M. Howell; Julie C. Castillo-Rogez; Morgan L. Cable; Jacob N. Abrahams; Michael T. Bland; Chase Chivers; Corey J. Cochrane; Andrew J. Dombard; Carolyn Ernst; Antonio Genova; Christopher Gerekos; Christopher Glein; Camilla D. Harris; Hamish C.F.C. Hay; Paul O. Hayne; Matthew Hedman; Hauke Hussmann; Xianzhe Jia; Krishan Khurana; Walter S. Kiefer; Randolph Kirk; Margaret Kivelson; Justin Lawrence; Erin J. Leonard; Jonathan I. Lunine; Erwan Mazarico; Thomas B. McCord; Alfred McEwen; Carol Paty; Lynnae C. Quick; Carol A. Raymond; Kurt D. Retherford; Lorenz Roth; Abigail Rymer; Joachim Saur; Kirk Scanlan; Dustin M. Schroeder; David A. Senske; Wencheng Shao; Krista Soderlund; Elizabeth Spiers; Marshall J. Styczinski; Paolo Tortora; Steven D. Vance; Michaela N. Villarreal; Benjamin P. Weiss; Joseph H. Westlake; Paul Withers; Natalie Wolfenbarger; Bonnie Buratti; Haje Korth; Robert T. Pappalardo

doi:10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y

Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper

James H. Roberts, William B. McKinnon, Catherine M. Elder, Gabriel Tobie, John B. Biersteker, Duncan Young, Ryan S. Park, Gregor Steinbrügge, Francis Nimmo, Samuel M. Howell, Julie C. Castillo-Rogez, Morgan L. Cable, Jacob N. Abrahams, Michael T. Bland, Chase Chivers, Corey J. Cochrane, Andrew J. Dombard, Carolyn Ernst, Antonio Genova, Christopher GerekosChristopher Glein, Camilla D. Harris, Hamish C.F.C. Hay, Paul O. Hayne, Matthew Hedman, Hauke Hussmann, Xianzhe Jia, Krishan Khurana, Walter S. Kiefer, Randolph Kirk, Margaret Kivelson, Justin Lawrence, Erin J. Leonard, Jonathan I. Lunine, Erwan Mazarico, Thomas B. McCord, Alfred McEwen, Carol Paty, Lynnae C. Quick, Carol A. Raymond, Kurt D. Retherford, Lorenz Roth, Abigail Rymer, Joachim Saur, Kirk Scanlan, Dustin M. Schroeder, David A. Senske, Wencheng Shao, Krista Soderlund, Elizabeth Spiers, Marshall J. Styczinski, Paolo Tortora, Steven D. Vance, Michaela N. Villarreal, Benjamin P. Weiss, Joseph H. Westlake, Paul Withers, Natalie Wolfenbarger, Bonnie Buratti, Haje Korth, Robert T. Pappalardo

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Galileo mission to Jupiter revealed that Europa is an ocean world. The Galileo magnetometer experiment in particular provided strong evidence for a salty subsurface ocean beneath the ice shell, likely in contact with the rocky core. Within the ice shell and ocean, a number of tectonic and geodynamic processes may operate today or have operated at some point in the past, including solid ice convection, diapirism, subsumption, and interstitial lake formation. The science objectives of the Europa Clipper mission include the characterization of Europa’s interior; confirmation of the presence of a subsurface ocean; identification of constraints on the depth to this ocean, and on its salinity and thickness; and determination of processes of material exchange between the surface, ice shell, and ocean. Three broad categories of investigation are planned to interrogate different aspects of the subsurface structure and properties of the ice shell and ocean: magnetic induction, subsurface radar sounding, and tidal deformation. These investigations are supplemented by several auxiliary measurements. Alone, each of these investigations will reveal unique information. Together, the synergy between these investigations will expose the secrets of the Europan interior in unprecedented detail, an essential step in evaluating the habitability of this ocean world.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	46
Journal	Space Science Reviews
Volume	219
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y
State	Published - Sep 2023

Keywords

Europa Clipper
Ice-penetrating radar
Interior
Magnetic induction
Subsurface ocean
Tidal deformation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

Access to Document

10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y

Cite this

Roberts, J. H., McKinnon, W. B., Elder, C. M., Tobie, G., Biersteker, J. B., Young, D., Park, R. S., Steinbrügge, G., Nimmo, F., Howell, S. M., Castillo-Rogez, J. C., Cable, M. L., Abrahams, J. N., Bland, M. T., Chivers, C., Cochrane, C. J., Dombard, A. J., Ernst, C., Genova, A., ... Pappalardo, R. T. (2023). Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper. Space Science Reviews, 219(6), Article 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y

Roberts, JH, McKinnon, WB, Elder, CM, Tobie, G, Biersteker, JB, Young, D, Park, RS, Steinbrügge, G, Nimmo, F, Howell, SM, Castillo-Rogez, JC, Cable, ML, Abrahams, JN, Bland, MT, Chivers, C, Cochrane, CJ, Dombard, AJ, Ernst, C, Genova, A, Gerekos, C, Glein, C, Harris, CD, Hay, HCFC, Hayne, PO, Hedman, M, Hussmann, H, Jia, X, Khurana, K, Kiefer, WS, Kirk, R, Kivelson, M, Lawrence, J, Leonard, EJ, Lunine, JI, Mazarico, E, McCord, TB, McEwen, A, Paty, C, Quick, LC, Raymond, CA, Retherford, KD, Roth, L, Rymer, A, Saur, J, Scanlan, K, Schroeder, DM, Senske, DA, Shao, W, Soderlund, K, Spiers, E, Styczinski, MJ, Tortora, P, Vance, SD, Villarreal, MN, Weiss, BP, Westlake, JH, Withers, P, Wolfenbarger, N, Buratti, B, Korth, H & Pappalardo, RT 2023, 'Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper', Space Science Reviews, vol. 219, no. 6, 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y

@article{92541c69ba3b4b0aa71f21c7fe38eede,

title = "Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper",

abstract = "The Galileo mission to Jupiter revealed that Europa is an ocean world. The Galileo magnetometer experiment in particular provided strong evidence for a salty subsurface ocean beneath the ice shell, likely in contact with the rocky core. Within the ice shell and ocean, a number of tectonic and geodynamic processes may operate today or have operated at some point in the past, including solid ice convection, diapirism, subsumption, and interstitial lake formation. The science objectives of the Europa Clipper mission include the characterization of Europa{\textquoteright}s interior; confirmation of the presence of a subsurface ocean; identification of constraints on the depth to this ocean, and on its salinity and thickness; and determination of processes of material exchange between the surface, ice shell, and ocean. Three broad categories of investigation are planned to interrogate different aspects of the subsurface structure and properties of the ice shell and ocean: magnetic induction, subsurface radar sounding, and tidal deformation. These investigations are supplemented by several auxiliary measurements. Alone, each of these investigations will reveal unique information. Together, the synergy between these investigations will expose the secrets of the Europan interior in unprecedented detail, an essential step in evaluating the habitability of this ocean world.",

keywords = "Europa Clipper, Ice-penetrating radar, Interior, Magnetic induction, Subsurface ocean, Tidal deformation",

author = "Roberts, {James H.} and McKinnon, {William B.} and Elder, {Catherine M.} and Gabriel Tobie and Biersteker, {John B.} and Duncan Young and Park, {Ryan S.} and Gregor Steinbr{\"u}gge and Francis Nimmo and Howell, {Samuel M.} and Castillo-Rogez, {Julie C.} and Cable, {Morgan L.} and Abrahams, {Jacob N.} and Bland, {Michael T.} and Chase Chivers and Cochrane, {Corey J.} and Dombard, {Andrew J.} and Carolyn Ernst and Antonio Genova and Christopher Gerekos and Christopher Glein and Harris, {Camilla D.} and Hay, {Hamish C.F.C.} and Hayne, {Paul O.} and Matthew Hedman and Hauke Hussmann and Xianzhe Jia and Krishan Khurana and Kiefer, {Walter S.} and Randolph Kirk and Margaret Kivelson and Justin Lawrence and Leonard, {Erin J.} and Lunine, {Jonathan I.} and Erwan Mazarico and McCord, {Thomas B.} and Alfred McEwen and Carol Paty and Quick, {Lynnae C.} and Raymond, {Carol A.} and Retherford, {Kurt D.} and Lorenz Roth and Abigail Rymer and Joachim Saur and Kirk Scanlan and Schroeder, {Dustin M.} and Senske, {David A.} and Wencheng Shao and Krista Soderlund and Elizabeth Spiers and Styczinski, {Marshall J.} and Paolo Tortora and Vance, {Steven D.} and Villarreal, {Michaela N.} and Weiss, {Benjamin P.} and Westlake, {Joseph H.} and Paul Withers and Natalie Wolfenbarger and Bonnie Buratti and Haje Korth and Pappalardo, {Robert T.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, The Author(s).",

year = "2023",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "219",

journal = "Space Science Reviews",

issn = "0038-6308",

publisher = "Springer Netherlands",

number = "6",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper

AU - Roberts, James H.

AU - McKinnon, William B.

AU - Elder, Catherine M.

AU - Tobie, Gabriel

AU - Biersteker, John B.

AU - Young, Duncan

AU - Park, Ryan S.

AU - Steinbrügge, Gregor

AU - Nimmo, Francis

AU - Howell, Samuel M.

AU - Castillo-Rogez, Julie C.

AU - Cable, Morgan L.

AU - Abrahams, Jacob N.

AU - Bland, Michael T.

AU - Chivers, Chase

AU - Cochrane, Corey J.

AU - Dombard, Andrew J.

AU - Ernst, Carolyn

AU - Genova, Antonio

AU - Gerekos, Christopher

AU - Glein, Christopher

AU - Harris, Camilla D.

AU - Hay, Hamish C.F.C.

AU - Hayne, Paul O.

AU - Hedman, Matthew

AU - Hussmann, Hauke

AU - Jia, Xianzhe

AU - Khurana, Krishan

AU - Kiefer, Walter S.

AU - Kirk, Randolph

AU - Kivelson, Margaret

AU - Lawrence, Justin

AU - Leonard, Erin J.

AU - Lunine, Jonathan I.

AU - Mazarico, Erwan

AU - McCord, Thomas B.

AU - McEwen, Alfred

AU - Paty, Carol

AU - Quick, Lynnae C.

AU - Raymond, Carol A.

AU - Retherford, Kurt D.

AU - Roth, Lorenz

AU - Rymer, Abigail

AU - Saur, Joachim

AU - Scanlan, Kirk

AU - Schroeder, Dustin M.

AU - Senske, David A.

AU - Shao, Wencheng

AU - Soderlund, Krista

AU - Spiers, Elizabeth

AU - Styczinski, Marshall J.

AU - Tortora, Paolo

AU - Vance, Steven D.

AU - Villarreal, Michaela N.

AU - Weiss, Benjamin P.

AU - Westlake, Joseph H.

AU - Withers, Paul

AU - Wolfenbarger, Natalie

AU - Buratti, Bonnie

AU - Korth, Haje

AU - Pappalardo, Robert T.

PY - 2023/9

Y1 - 2023/9

N2 - The Galileo mission to Jupiter revealed that Europa is an ocean world. The Galileo magnetometer experiment in particular provided strong evidence for a salty subsurface ocean beneath the ice shell, likely in contact with the rocky core. Within the ice shell and ocean, a number of tectonic and geodynamic processes may operate today or have operated at some point in the past, including solid ice convection, diapirism, subsumption, and interstitial lake formation. The science objectives of the Europa Clipper mission include the characterization of Europa’s interior; confirmation of the presence of a subsurface ocean; identification of constraints on the depth to this ocean, and on its salinity and thickness; and determination of processes of material exchange between the surface, ice shell, and ocean. Three broad categories of investigation are planned to interrogate different aspects of the subsurface structure and properties of the ice shell and ocean: magnetic induction, subsurface radar sounding, and tidal deformation. These investigations are supplemented by several auxiliary measurements. Alone, each of these investigations will reveal unique information. Together, the synergy between these investigations will expose the secrets of the Europan interior in unprecedented detail, an essential step in evaluating the habitability of this ocean world.

AB - The Galileo mission to Jupiter revealed that Europa is an ocean world. The Galileo magnetometer experiment in particular provided strong evidence for a salty subsurface ocean beneath the ice shell, likely in contact with the rocky core. Within the ice shell and ocean, a number of tectonic and geodynamic processes may operate today or have operated at some point in the past, including solid ice convection, diapirism, subsumption, and interstitial lake formation. The science objectives of the Europa Clipper mission include the characterization of Europa’s interior; confirmation of the presence of a subsurface ocean; identification of constraints on the depth to this ocean, and on its salinity and thickness; and determination of processes of material exchange between the surface, ice shell, and ocean. Three broad categories of investigation are planned to interrogate different aspects of the subsurface structure and properties of the ice shell and ocean: magnetic induction, subsurface radar sounding, and tidal deformation. These investigations are supplemented by several auxiliary measurements. Alone, each of these investigations will reveal unique information. Together, the synergy between these investigations will expose the secrets of the Europan interior in unprecedented detail, an essential step in evaluating the habitability of this ocean world.

KW - Europa Clipper

KW - Ice-penetrating radar

KW - Interior

KW - Magnetic induction

KW - Subsurface ocean

KW - Tidal deformation

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85168776285&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85168776285&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y

DO - 10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y

M3 - Review article

SN - 0038-6308

VL - 219

JO - Space Science Reviews

JF - Space Science Reviews

IS - 6

M1 - 46

ER -

Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this