Ever wondered what spiders have to do with Jupiter? Well, prepare to be amazed! A team of researchers, led by Irish planetary scientist Professor Lauren Mc Keown, has given a fascinating spider-like feature on Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, an Irish name: 'Damhán Alla,' which translates to 'spider' or 'wall demon.'
This intriguing discovery is more than just a cool name; it's a window into understanding how Europa's icy surface was formed. The team, including Trinity College Dublin (TCD) alumni and scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), Brown University, and the Planetary Science Institute, is diving deep into the mysteries of this icy moon. Their findings, published in The Planetary Science Journal, explore the formation of this unique feature within Europa's Mannann’an crater.
But here's where it gets interesting: the researchers believe 'Damhán Alla' may have formed similarly to Earth's lake stars. These intricate patterns emerge when snow falls on frozen lakes, creating holes that allow water to flow and melt the ice in energetically favorable ways. The team suggests that a similar process, involving liquid brine extruding through broken ice after an impact, could have shaped the spider-like feature on Europa.
The feature was first spotted by NASA’s Galileo spacecraft back in 1998. And this remains the only source of images of Europa’s icy features.
And this is the part most people miss: the team is eagerly awaiting more detailed images from NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, set to arrive at Jupiter in April 2030. These high-resolution images could reveal even more about these intriguing surface features and the potential for subsurface brine pools.
Professor Mc Keown's passion for space began with the Cassini spacecraft and its exploration of Saturn's icy moon, Enceladus. Now, she's leading the charge in planetary science, investigating how low pressure affects the formation of these features. She's even setting up a new lab at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to conduct experiments, working with students to create icy simulants.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: What do you think about naming celestial features? Do you agree with the team's interpretation of how 'Damhán Alla' formed? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's get a discussion going! Do you think this feature is related to the existence of life on Europa? Or do you think it is just a coincidence? What is your favorite feature on Europa?
