Jupiter's Moons
Rohan Sakalkale and Stephen Grayson
Introduction
Europa
General Information:
- Orbit of Europa around Jupiter (time) — 85 hours
- Smooth Surface, no craters, active geologically
- Temperatures on Europa — Average Minimum: -370 F; Average Temperature: -270 F; Average Maximum: -240 F
- Smaller than Earth and moon, but larger than Pluto
- Name comes from Queen of Crete (Greek Mythology); Abducted by Zeus
Composition/Characteristics:
- Very icy
- Oxygen, Water, and Hydrogen = abundant
- Ocean under surface
- Ability to support life
- Cracks from tidal force
Io
General Info:
- Takes 1.77 Earth days to Orbit Jupiter
- Min: -202 F; Max: 3000 F (Because of the Volcanoes)
- Slightly larger than Moon
- Name come from daughter of Inachus; terrible back-story to it
- Several fly-bys: Pioneer 10 and 11; Voyager I and II
Composition/Characteristics
- Inner core filled with Iron (gives reddish look)
- Only one with distinct active volcanoes
- atmosphere filled with sulfur dioxide (Jupiter's pull)
- Water existed; taken away by Jupiter's radiation
Callisto
General info:
- 4.5 billion yrs old (Same as Jupiter)
- Outer most moon
- Same size as Mercury
- Mean Temperature: -218.47
- Orbit of Callisto around Jupiter (time) — 17 days
- Name once again comes from Greek Mythology (one of the people Zeus seduces...)
Composition/Characteristics
- Many craters
- No geological change for 4 billion years (interesting)
- Any changes have come from being hit by objects
- Elements: Magnesium and iron-bearing hydrated silicates, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and possibly ammonia and other organic compounds.
- Atmosphere: Very thin atmosphere; Carbon Dioxide and Molecular Oxygen
Ganymede
General Info:
- 4.5 Billion yrs old
- Larger than Mercury and Pluto (smaller than Mars)
- Seven Earth days to Orbit
- Min: -171; Max: -305 (unlikely for life)
- Name: Trojan Prince
- 3rd most outward moon
Composition/Characteristics:
- Core = Metallic Iron
- Crust: icy rock
- Two terrains: Dark Craters and lighter groves (possible flow of water in past)
- Speculation of saltwater 124 miles under the surface
- Atmosphere: Oxygen — too thin to support life; Magnetosphere interlinked with Jupiter's
Work Cited (APA Format)
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