Project description
Searching for sub-surface liquid water in the moons of the solar system
The occurrence of liquid water is one of the few essential prerequisites for life – at least as we know it on Earth. Vast bodies of water can lie beneath the icy crust of moons in our solar system. Combining computer simulations and new telescope observations, the EU-funded Exo-Oceans project plans to search for oceans on Saturn's moons (Titan and Enceladus) and also outside our solar system. The research work will allow detailed analyses of the oceans on Jupiter's moons (Europa and Ganymede). Although it is already known that there is water on the two moons, previous approaches failed to characterise these hidden oceans. The project's results will serve as a fundamental basis for the study of extraterrestrial oceans and extraterrestrial life.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraft
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomyoptical astronomy
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronics
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesnatural satellites
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantHost institution
50931 Koln
Germany
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Beneficiaries (1)
50931 Koln
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