On Jupiter erupts a plume of water vapor
NASA says that astronomers noticed a plume of water vapor that erupts on the surface of Jupiter's moon Europe.
Europe, which is the size of the moon is one of the most promising places for finding life in our Solar system other than Earth. With the help of the Hubble telescope, astronomers noticed that the plumes erupt to a height of about 125 miles (200 kilometers), and then rain again fall on the surface of Europa.
"Europa's ocean is one of the most promising areas that could potentially hide life in the Solar system," said Geoff Yoder, acting assistant administrator office of scientific flight of NASA in Washington.
Europe has a vast ocean that contains two times more water than Earth's oceans, but it is under a layer of solid ice of unknown thickness. Scientists hope that the plume will allow them to collect water samples without the need for drilling ice.
If the findings are confirmed, Europe will be the second satellite in the Solar system, spewing to spew a plume of water. In 2005, NASA discovered a plume of water vapor and dust erupting from the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus.
NASA says that hopes the new telescope James Webb, which is scheduled to launch in 2018. He will be able to confirm whether or on the surface of Europa is erupting a plume of water vapor.
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