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May 23, 1997Science389 citations

Europa's Differentiated Internal Structure: Inferences from Two Galileo Encounters

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JAJ. D. AndersonELE. L. LauWSW. L. Sjogren

Key Points

  • Determine the external gravitational field and internal mass distribution of Jupiter's moon Europa.
  • Analyzed radio carrier wave Doppler data collected during Galileo spacecraft flybys on 19 December 1996 (E4) and 20 February 1997 (E6).
  • Modeled Europa's external gravitational field to calculate interior density profiles and layer thickness estimates.
  • Demonstrated that Europa possesses an outer water ice-liquid shell approximately 100 to 200 kilometers thick.
  • Determined that the deep interior has a bulk density exceeding 4000 kg/m³.
  • Identified candidate interior models consisting of either a metal-rock mix or a metallic core (~40% of Europa's radius) enclosed by a rock mantle (density 3000 to 3500 kg/m³).

Abstract

Doppler data generated with the Galileo spacecraft's radio carrier wave during two Europa encounters on 19 December 1996 (E4) and 20 February 1997 (E6) were used to measure Europa's external gravitational field. The measurements indicate that Europa has a predominantly water ice-liquid outer shell about 100 to 200 kilometers thick and a deep interior with a density in excess of about 4000 kilograms per cubic meter. The deep interior could be a mixture of metal and rock or it could consist of a metal core with a radius about 40 percent of Europa's radius surrounded by a rock mantle with a density of 3000 to 3500 kilograms per cubic meter. The metallic core is favored if Europa has a magnetic field.

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Cite This Study

Anderson et al. (1997) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a70b7eb5d37378ac1ddda62https://doi.org/10.1126/science.276.5316.1236
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