Fluorescent Biomolecules Detectable in Near-Surface Ice on Europa

editorAstrobiology17 hours ago3 Views

Fluorescent Biomolecules Detectable in Near-Surface Ice on Europa
This image of Europa’s surface was taken by the Galileo spacecraft on February 20, 1997 from a distance of 1240 miles (2000 kilometers). Larger image

Europa, Jupiter’s second Galilean moon, is believed to host a subsurface ocean in contact with a rocky mantle, where hydrothermal activity may drive the synthesis of organic molecules.

Among these possible organic molecules, abiotic synthesis of aromatic amino acids is unlikely, so their detection on planetary surfaces such as Europa suggests that they could be considered a potential biosignature.

Fluorescence from aromatic amino acids, with characteristic emissions in the 200-400 nm wavelength range, can be induced by a laser and may be detectable where ocean material has been relatively recently emplaced on Europa’s surface, as indicated by geologically young terrain and surface features.

However, surface bombardment by charged particles from the jovian magnetosphere and solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation degrades organic molecules and limits their longevity.

We model radiolysis and photolysis of aromatic amino acids embedded in ice. Our model shows dependencies on hemispheric and latitudinal patterns of charged particle bombardment and ice phase.

We demonstrate that such molecules contained within freshly deposited ice in high-latitude regions on the surface of Europa are detectable using laser-induced UV fluorescence, even from an orbiting spacecraft.

Fluorescent Biomolecules Detectable in Near-Surface Ice on Europa, Astrobiology via PubMed

Astrobiology,

Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Station Payload manager/space biologist, Away Teams, Journalist, Lapsed climber, Synaesthete, Na’Vi-Jedi-Freman-Buddhist-mix, ASL, Devon Island and Everest Base Camp veteran, (he/him) 🖖🏻

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