Galileo Project/Galileo Mission Part II/Galileo Europa Mission/ Report ID# 3465/5600/File BRT Arrival of Survey Data: Dec 1997- Apr 1998 Designation: Search for life on Europa Results:The summary and scientific analysis of survey data gathered from the Jovian moon, Europa, has revealed the existence of unique phenomena. The goal of partial task 95/20 of the Galileo Project was to investigate traces of life that potentially emerged on Europa. The probe provided unexpected and surprising images through both Solid State Imaging (SSI) and thermographic cameras. Summary of these results are grouped as follows: 3465/1 Conditions of the emergence of life; conditions on Europa (cf. 3485/5600/LRT) 3465/2 Analysis of crater formations, special attention to Umber Crater (cf. 3412/5600/GRT) 3465/3 Unexpected results of the moon's temperature image; results of surface redarmentization survey of the ice layer (cf. 3453/5600/GRT, 3456/5600/GRT) 3465/4 Conclusion, hypotheses, suggestions Summary: 3465/1 The most basic pre-conditions of the emergence of life are: a-water in liquid state on the surface b-constant energy input c-presence of biogenic elements in the appropriate environment (hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, phosphorus), plus unorganic elements (potassium, iron, and compounds essential for chemosynthesis e.g. hydrogen- -sulfide) Our survey dealt with these three areas most extensively. a,The results below provide proof for the existence of liquid water (cf. also image# 1395-1503/1800) -The examination of the structural images of chaos-regions shows the obvious fact that the ice crust is in constant motion (the shift cracks suggest this fact as well); also, based on thermographic image analysis we concluded that certain regions had thawed and refrozen at a slow pace. -Processes similar to plate tectonics are observable on the surface, wedge-like darker incrustations are visible suggestive of terrestrial subductions. Instead of magma, though, liquid water transudes from deeper layers since the composition of the moon's outer ice crust remains constant. -The structural image of Pwyll Crater also suggests the presence of water. Its origin dates back 30-10 million years. Presumably the result of a meteor impact; impact debris is radially dispersed. The analysis of the 3D structural image has revealed that the crater is extremely shallow (ca. 7-8 meters), but its original depth is not known; the 700 meter central peak exceeds the surrounding edges, suggesting that the heat generated by the impact melted the edges. The presence and shifting of the darker detritic layer near the crater leads us to conclude that water had pushed upwards from underlying areas. In conclusion, we can be sure of the existence of a liquid water-layer 200 kilometers (124 miles) below surface. This layer significantly influences the surface image of the icecrust. b,Prerequisites of the widespread prevalence of life are autotrophic organisms whose organic material synthesis necessitates a constant source of energy. In the case of Europa, the energy supply originates from the Sun's rays (ca. 680- -700 nm wavelength range), or the thermic energy emanating from the core of the moon. Supposing that the temperature decrease of Europa to this extent had been a gradual process over a long time period, it is possible that the moon had been covered by a primordial ocean with a possible atmosphere which had escaped with time. The inference being that life which has disappeared or retreated into deeper layers could have existed on the surface in prehistoric times. Supposing the latter, these living organisms surely take advantage of the inner thermic energy of the moon currently. In case of Europa, chemosynthesis could have presumably evolved below the ice crust, the appropriate conditions being found there; also, photosynthesis on the surface of the ice crust, or in the upper layers of the primordial ocean. The probability of the current existence of the latter organisms is very low, thanks to harsh conditions, and to the lack of liquid water and appropriate atmosphere. Organisms capable of photosynthesis are not likely to be found in the lightless deep layers. Thus, it is safe to suppose the presence of depth-chemosynthetizing organisms. Since the existence of liquid water is assured, certain temperature conditions must be available because of deep magma-processes existing in deeper layers. These heat-producing core processes create enough heat to melt the ice found on the solid crust above, thus producing life. Since we have only little information regarding the processes in action beneath the ice crust, we can only hypothesize. We find it possible that deep-layer water contains sufficient amounts of raw materials and thermal energy for sustaining life for chemoautotrophic living organisms. The existence of more complex and developed organisms is highly unlikely. c,For the appearance of the appropriate organic materials, as we know, the prevalence of simple compounds, such as water, ammonium, methane and hydrogen-sulfide (Stanley Miller experiments) in the given environment is sufficient. In the course of reactions between these compounds, complex organic molecules, and ultimately living organisms can come into existence. For the initiation of the reactions an appropriate amount of activational energy is needed, however. Stanley Miller's experiments have proved that such a source of energy can be the UV-radiation of the Sun, electric discharges (lightning), or the thermic energy produced by the interior radioactive processes of the given celestial body. As we mentioned earlier, we assume the presence of appropriate elements, but nothing certain can be said, therefore further investigation of this area is needed in the future. -As it is known, life on celestial bodies can come into existence in two ways: either by itself on the given body, or through transfer by a foreign medium (e.g. a meteor). Since the search for life on Europa requires direct sample taking and deep boring, only a new expedition can provide results. Galileo Europa Mission (GMPII) is capable of examining life from an outer source only, therefore we are going to discuss that area further below. 3465/2 During the examination of the ice crust,(knowing the characteristics of freezing in case of water) three kinds of exterior formations can be distuingished: -linear cracks, fault lines, flexis -impact craters -chaos regions Impact craters were put under thorough examination, since these are possible sources of life transferred from other planets. Europa's largest craters were given special attention. The five large impact structures on Europa are Pwyll, Cilix, Umber, Tyre, and Mannann'an. Only three out of these are worth mentioning in relation to our topic (for further information cf. section of GRT files). Impact structures with diameters of more than 20 kilometers (12,5 miles) are rather rare on Europa. Tyre is most unusual. While the effective crater, which is somewhat larger than the prominent large bull's eye feature, is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) across, the entire structure is much larger. The concentric rings display relatively little relief. Some of the smaller craters near Tyre were formed by material ejected by and then redeposited from the impact which formed Tyre. One hypothesis for such characteristics is that the impactor which formed Tyre penetrated through an icy crust into a less brittle layer. While Pwyll, Cilix, and Mannann'an also display shallow crater depths for their size, they more closely resemble similar sized craters on two neighboring moons of Jupiter, Ganymede and Callisto. Perhaps the impactor did not punch through the upper crust during these events. This might have been the case if the impacting body was smaller and weaker than in the case of Tyre or if the crust was thinner at the location of Tyre during the impact event. The structure of Pwyll on Jupiter's moon, Europa, was photographed during the sixth orbit of the spacecraft around Jupiter. This impact crater is located at 26 degrees south latitude, 271 degrees west longitude, and is about 26 kilometers (16 miles) in diameter. Lower resolution pictures of Pwyll Crater taken earlier in the mission show that material ejected by the impact can be traced for hundreds of miles across the icy surface of Europa. There is a dark zone in and around the crater comprised of material excavated from several kilometers (a few miles) below the surface. Two important images comprising the mosaic around Pwyll were taken on February 20, 1997 from a distance of 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) by the Galileo spacecraft (image# 1425-26/1892). The area shown is about 120 kilometers by 100 kilometers (75 miles by 60 miles). All images were taken by the SSI system on NASA's Galileo spacecraft. Even though Pwyll and Tyre are important for our research, we have found no traces of life in their area, which led us to the conclusion that meteors that had impacted here contained no living organisms, or at least those organisms had not been able to survive the harsh conditions. The examination of these craters will be handed over to the geological survey team for future investigation. The most surprising findings were in connection with Umber, however (image# 1427-29/1892). Umber's structure is completely symmetric; lines in the middle area form an X. The crater is about 12-15 kilometers (7.5-9.5 miles) in diameter. The surface of the crater's 50 meters high range is surprisingly even with structural forms contradicting the natural freezing characteristics of water, which provoked a more detailed examination by our team. We utilized every possible research method for the examination of the crater's secrets, yet, we had to face several problems at this stage of our search for life. In February, 1997, during Galileo's Europa flyby, the spacecraft conducted measurements as it had been suggested by Dr. Rose Newland, the head of the geophysical task force, to chart Europa's magnetic field, and to locate the moon's magnetic North and South Poles using a magnetometer. It has been determined that the moon's magnetic field is 1/4 times stronger than that of Ganymede. The spacecraft relayed information about the magnetic field of the area in every 5th relative coordinate shift. However, above Europa's 45 degrees south latitude, and 243 degrees west longitude, the device registered a sudden increase in value and later showed signs of disturbance (coordinates were determined after the event). To our great surprise, the analysis of the measurements showed the area causing the disturbance to be Umber Crater. Measurement results Local coordinates Field intensity based on Glauber scale SL29WL239 2.3 SL33WL240 2.6 SL37WL241 2.5 SL41WL242 3.8 SL45WL243 24.9 SL49WL244 no sign registered SL53WL245 no sign registered SL57WL246 2.4 (for more detailed, graphic representation of magnetometer measurement results cf. appendix A/4 of file 3405/5600/GRT) 3465/3 The moon's surface had been examined using thermographic and surface redarmentizational measuring techniques, both of which gave surprising results in the case of Umber. We measured an average 65-230 K on Europa's surface, yet Umber was a strange exception again. Even though the Sun's rays warmed the formation during the measurement process, the interior of the crater showed up as a black area in the thermographic picture when using the 50-273 K measuring range. The 10-50 K range still did not yield appropriate barlane clarity, but the 0-10 K thermocolor-analyzer revealed the crater's interior temperature to be 0.000000001387 K (1.387*10-9 K)! The lowest temperature in space being 2.7 K (-270.3 C), this is remarkable, since celestial bodies can have only higher temperatures especially because of their interior heat generating reactions. We can state that temperatures lower than the universal 2.7 K cannot occur naturally (and for a continued period of time). Even on Earth, only in this century was it possible to create temperatures lower than 2.7 K (fraction of 1 K) with the help of modern technology, but temperatures as low as 1.387*10-9 K are impossible to produce on Earth artificially. The surface redarmentization survey yielded no less surprising data. The spacecraft Onboard Redarmentization Device (ORD) registered a high value over Umber and naxed material disorder. Based on the data, the atomic White-density inside the crater's deeper areas, and thus the kinetic and vibrational energy of the particles proved to be greater than the energy of the atoms of the environment, which totally contradicts thermographic survey data, since particles having higher levels of energy should have a higher temperature as well (for more details cf. 2134/5600/PRT file). If our survey data are correct, we have to take two possibilities into consideration: we are either facing a natural phenomenon that contradicts our pre-existing knowledge and research results; or we can suppose the activity of intelligent aliens. Before jumping to conclusions, however, Europa's Umber Crater and the moon itself have to be put under more thorough examination as far as interior and exterior characteristics are concerned. 3465/4 Based on exact survey data we can state that we did not find life on Europa's surface; there was no opportunity to examine the environment below the ice crust. From among the surface formations, impact craters received our special attention, especially Umber with its unusual characteristics. Magnetometer, thermograph and redarmentizer, all delivered results contradicting our preexisting experiences. Both crater and the surface of its environment are smooth as glass, probably showing traces of artificial activity. In conclusion: the Jovian moon Europa presumably bears witness to the activity of intelligent alien beings as well. Therefore, we suggest the launch of an extended mission in the shortest possible time to investigate Umber and the deep layers. Since public reaction to our survey data would be sensitive, we deem the creation of a special censorial committee to be important in NASA's Central Research Institute having as its sole goal the censoring and control of Galileo Mission materials, classification of appropriate documents as soon as possible. Reported by NASA Central Research Institute specialized team on astrobiology: Dr. Peter G. Simons, team head Dr. Thomas A. Wilcox Dr. Sophia Donnaway Dr. Sarah Roberts Dr. James Lawson Dr. Abraham Roth Dr. Peter Gimlet Data closing date:Feb/23/99 Classification date:Mar/31/99 Classification code:1587253AD