Abstract
This study is an analysis of the compositional structure of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, by utilizing multi-wavelength spectroscopy. The objective of this study is to enhance our understanding of Europa’s compositional and potential biological characteristics.
Spectral data was obtained from various space missions and instruments. We are looking at imaging and spectroscopy-focused instruments RALPH, LORRI, LEISA, ALICE, and MVIC which were all part of the New Horizons spacecraft that launched in 2006. The data collected was from the Jupiter fly-by in February-March 2007.
This project sets the tone for the year with the upcoming Europa Clipper mission by NASA, set to launch in October 2024. That mission aims to analyze Europa more closely and to determine its composition with new and relevant data.
The spectral data examined within this project spans from Infrared (IR) to Ultraviolet (UV) range, offering a detailed examination of Europa’s surface and chemical composition. The spectral data is created by analyzing the New Horizons data files within Python by using data libraries like matploblib and astropy to create charts that display the relationship between wavelength and flux for each instrument. Once the charts are created, the data from all instruments is compiled into one comprehensive spectrum. This is achieved by normalizing the flux values from each instrument to a common scale and overlaying them.
Our multiple-instrument approach allows for the identification of several distinct spectral features associated with different compounds. This data contributes to our current understanding of our universe, classifications of life, and the abilities of our current technology.
Current astrobiological studies have focused on Europa as a target of interest due to its icy surface. The presence of ice indicates a high-water content which is a fundamental requirement of life as we know it which makes Europa, along with other icy moons, promising candidates in our search for additional life within this solar system.
Furthermore, the detection of any compounds within Europa that could potentially support microbial life has profound implications for science. While the presence of these compounds does not confirm nor guarantee life, it highlights Europa’s importance for future studies about celestial bodies.
Keywords
Astronomy, Spectroscopy, Science, Solar System, Celestial Objects
Included in
CPM-8 Europa Unveiled: A Multi-Wavelength Analysis
University Readiness Center Greatroom
This study is an analysis of the compositional structure of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, by utilizing multi-wavelength spectroscopy. The objective of this study is to enhance our understanding of Europa’s compositional and potential biological characteristics.
Spectral data was obtained from various space missions and instruments. We are looking at imaging and spectroscopy-focused instruments RALPH, LORRI, LEISA, ALICE, and MVIC which were all part of the New Horizons spacecraft that launched in 2006. The data collected was from the Jupiter fly-by in February-March 2007.
This project sets the tone for the year with the upcoming Europa Clipper mission by NASA, set to launch in October 2024. That mission aims to analyze Europa more closely and to determine its composition with new and relevant data.
The spectral data examined within this project spans from Infrared (IR) to Ultraviolet (UV) range, offering a detailed examination of Europa’s surface and chemical composition. The spectral data is created by analyzing the New Horizons data files within Python by using data libraries like matploblib and astropy to create charts that display the relationship between wavelength and flux for each instrument. Once the charts are created, the data from all instruments is compiled into one comprehensive spectrum. This is achieved by normalizing the flux values from each instrument to a common scale and overlaying them.
Our multiple-instrument approach allows for the identification of several distinct spectral features associated with different compounds. This data contributes to our current understanding of our universe, classifications of life, and the abilities of our current technology.
Current astrobiological studies have focused on Europa as a target of interest due to its icy surface. The presence of ice indicates a high-water content which is a fundamental requirement of life as we know it which makes Europa, along with other icy moons, promising candidates in our search for additional life within this solar system.
Furthermore, the detection of any compounds within Europa that could potentially support microbial life has profound implications for science. While the presence of these compounds does not confirm nor guarantee life, it highlights Europa’s importance for future studies about celestial bodies.