Scientists from NASA have come to the remarkable conclusion that one of Jupiter's satellites may have suitable conditions for life. Ganymede, the largest of Jupiter's moons, and indeed in the entire solar system, is composed mainly of rocks and a huge ocean of glaciers.
The composition of the celestial object is distinguished by layers of water in liquid and solid state, containing high quantities of salt. That is why NASA researchers are of the opinion that salt water and rocks play a significant role in creating conditions suitable for life.
NASA experts announced not too long ago that the ocean that is a few hundred miles deep has just one liquid layer, located between 2 ice sheets, one on the surface and one on the bottom.
The data received from the new study shows that primitive forms of life may have arisen in Ganymede's ocean.
This research confirms one more assumption, according to which the first layer on the rocky ocean's surface is actually composed of liquid water, and not ice, as was previously thought.
Galileo Galilei was the first to discover Ganymede. The Italian astronomer first noticed the satellite on January 7, 1610, thanks to the first telescope in history. Serious discussions about Ganymede's oceans began for the first time in the 70s of the 20th century.
The moon is distinguished by its diameter of 3273 mi (5268 km). It is actually 2% larger than that of Titan, which is at the moment considered to be the second largest moon in the solar system.
Also, Ganymede is the only satellite in the solar system that has a magnetosphere, as well as a thin atmosphere containing oxygen. The surface of the satellite is mainly characterized by 2 types of areas.
The smaller part of Jupiter's moon contains dark clouds, oceans with craters, whose age is about 4 billion years. The other area is covered by relatively newer and lighter zones with faults and ridges. The reason for their occurrence has not yet been confirmed.
