Exploring Jupiter's Icy Moon Europa Before NASA's Probe Arrives

Ever wondered what it's like to fly over Europa, one of Jupiter's moons? Well, you don't have to wait until NASA's Europa Clipper probe gets there in six years. NASA's Europa Trek portal lets us explore Europa's surface now. This moon is special because it has an icy crust hiding a huge ocean. Scientists think this ocean might be twice the size of Earth's oceans combined! As you zoom over Europa, you'll notice dark lines criss-crossing the surface. These are called linea. NASA thinks these might be cracks in Europa's icy crust caused by the moon's constant flexing as it orbits Jupiter.

You won't see many craters on Europa. That's because its surface is young and changing all the time due to geological activity. Even though Europa itself is about 4. 5 billion years old, its surface might be only 20 to 180 million years old. To take the guided tour, visit the Europa Trek site, click the menu icon, and choose "Landforms of Europa. " You can also explore on your own.

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