Recent research indicates that the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa may have less oxygen than previously believed, potentially impacting the possibility of life existing in the moon's underground ocean. Despite the lower oxygen levels, scientists speculate that microbial life could still thrive in the ocean located miles beneath Europa's frozen crust.
The study, published in Nature Astronomy, challenges earlier observations that suggested a higher concentration of oxygen in Europa's ice. Data collected by NASA's Juno spacecraft during a close flyby in 2022, just 219 miles from Europa, revealed that between 13 to 39 pounds of oxygen are produced every second on the moon's surface.
