Features
ISBN Number: 9783540224501
Subtitle: Search for an Alien Biosphere
Written by: Greenberg, Richard
Published by: Springer-Praxis
Subject: Geophysics
Subject: Astrophysics & Space Science
Subject: Extraterrestrial life
Subject: Galileo
Subject: NASA
Copyright: 2005
Edition Number: 1
Edition Description: Hardcover
Series: Springer Praxis Books in Geophysical Sciences
Date of Publication: January 2005
Cover Type: Hardcover
Written in: English
Illustrations: Yes
Number of Pages: 380
Book Size: 235 x 155 mm
Europa The Ocean Moon tells the story of the Galileo spacecraft probe to Jupiter's moon, Europa. It provides a detailed description of the physical processes, including the dominating tidal forces that operate on Europa, and includes a comprehensive tour of Europa using images taken by Galileo's camera. The book reviews and evaluates the interpretative work carried out to date, providing a philosophical discussion of the scientific process of analyzing results and the pitfalls that accompany it. It also examines the astrobiological constraints on this possible biosphere, and implications for future research, exploration and planetary biological protection. Europa The Ocean Moon provides a unique understanding of the Galileo images of Europa, discusses the theory of tidal processes that govern its icy ridged and disrupted surface, and examines in detail the physical setting that might sustain extra-terrestrial life in Europa's ocean and icy crust. Synopsis:
Probably no other planet or moon is attracting as much attention as Europa among scientists and biologists. Europa is one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. Probes have shown it to be covered with a water layer, some 100 km deep, frozen at the surface and crossed with long cracks. It appears to be geologically active, and the have both a weak atmosphere of oxygen and a weak magnetic field. Greenberg is member of the Imaging Team for NASA's Galileo spacecraft and a Principal Investigator in NASA's Planetary Geology and Geophysics program. Book includes a comprehensive tour of Europa using many Galileo images and offers an insider's review and evaluation of interpretive work to date.
