NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope once again made a groundbreaking discovery. This time, it discovers a hidden ocean beneath one of Uranus moons, Ariel. It is present below Ariel’s icy surface. This finding may help explain why there is carbon dioxide ice on Ariel’s surface.
Ariel, one of the five largest moons orbiting Uranus, stands out for its strikingly bright and icy surface. The scientific community has been intrigued for some time by the presence of carbon dioxide ice on Ariel.
Carbon dioxide should transform into gas and disperse into space at the distance between Uranus and its moons. Recent James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data provides compelling evidence that carbon dioxide may originate within the moon Ariel.
The James Webb Space Telescope, equipped with advanced instruments, meticulously observed the radiant light emanating from Ariel. By meticulously analyzing this light, scientists aim to unravel the composition of chemicals present on Ariel’s enigmatic surface.
Ariel has been found to contain some of the most carbon dioxide-rich deposits in the entire solar system. This intriguing discovery suggests that an internal process within Ariel itself may be responsible for carbon dioxide production.
Explanation for the presence of Carbon dioxide
A theory suggests that Ariel might have a subsurface ocean. This ocean could be responsible for producing carbon dioxide, which then makes its way to the surface.
This idea is supported by other moons in the solar system, like Europa and Enceladus, which also have subsurface oceans. These oceans are thought to be kept warm by the gravitational forces of their parent planets.
Finding Suggestion
The discovery of a subsurface ocean on Ariel is a significant scientific breakthrough. This finding suggests that Ariel may have the essential conditions to support life. If the conditions on Ariel are similar to those found in extreme environments on Earth, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents, it could also be conducive to supporting life.
The JWST‘s discoveries are rooted in examining light spectra, which act as distinctive patterns for different chemicals. Each chemical has its unique absorption and emission of light at specific wavelengths, allowing scientists to identify and understand their properties.
Scientists can identify the chemicals on Ariel’s surface by comparing the light spectra from Ariel with spectra from known chemicals. This method has revealed that Ariel has a lot of carbon dioxide and even some carbon monoxide.
The unexpected presence of carbon monoxide on Ariel is quite puzzling. It is particularly surprising, as carbon monoxide is not expected to remain stable at the temperatures observed on this moon. The presence of actively replenished carbon monoxide within Ariel’s interior strongly suggests the existence of a subsurface ocean.
The discovered hidden ocean beneath the surface of Ariel marks just the initial phase of our exploration of this intriguing moon. Countless mysteries and discoveries lie ahead, waiting to be unveiled.
Future missions to Uranus and its moons hold the potential to reveal a wealth of new information. These missions could encompass orbiters, landers, and even submarines designed to explore the intriguing subsurface ocean.
The discovery of the JWST serves as a reminder of the significance of space exploration and highlights that there is still much to be learned about our solar system. With every discovery, we move a step closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe and gaining a deeper insight into our existence within it.
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