Creation of Europa's Atmosphere (Artist's Concept)

This artist's concept shows how scientists think the thin atmosphere on Jupiter's moon Europa is formed. It illustrates how the impact of high-energy, charged particles can kick up material from the surface and how possible plumes might also contribute to the atmosphere. NASA's Europa Clipper mission aims to better understand the moon's atmosphere by measuring its chemical composition with the MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration/Europa (MASPEX) and "sniffing" the dust grains blasted off the surface with the SUrface Dust Analyzer (SUDA). These two instruments will help scientists understand whether Europa harbors the composition and chemistry required to host life. Europa Clipper's three main science objectives are to determine the thickness of the moon's icy shell and its interactions with the ocean below, to investigate its composition, and to characterize its geology. The mission's detailed exploration of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA26107