Scientists have found liquid water on Jupiter satellite

Although talk about the possibility of life in our solar system rates generally do on Mars in recent years has attracted scientists Europe - the fourth largest satellite of Jupiter. Repeatedly suggested that the ocean is hidden under a thick crust of ice. If there is also a source of energy (for example, hydrothermal vents), and at least some of the chemical elements, that may be enough for the operation of the simplest forms of life.

For a long time this theory was not confirmed, but now astronomers first appeared strong evidence in favor of their guesses. In the atmosphere, the satellite could monitor the emission of water vapor. according to publication in Nature Astronomy, it confirms that under the surface there is water in Europe.

According to Lucas Paganini planetary NASA, "Basic chemicals and energy, two of the three conditions for the development of life, is in many places in our solar system. However, the third - liquid water - is incredibly difficult to find outside of the Earth. Although it is not possible to observe directly to liquid water, water vapor - is already a big step forward. "

Much of what we know about Europe, produced with automatic probe "Galileo", which studied Jupiter and its moons in 1995 - 2003 years. One of the major discoveries was the strange behavior of the magnetic field of Jupiter. Based on collected data, scientists suggested that Europe may be a liquid, acting as a conductor - such as salt water, - and that interferes with the planet's magnetic field.