Europa mission starts with selection of instruments
Gearing up for a long trek to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, NASA has selected 9 scientific instruments to help investigate the icy surface to see if it’s suitable for life. If predictions are on the money, the ocean beneath Europa’s frozen crust could have twice as much water as Earth and could technically harbor some life.
“Europa has tantalized us with its enigmatic icy surface and evidence of a vast ocean, following the amazing data from 11 flybys of the Galileo spacecraft over a decade ago and recent Hubble observations suggesting plumes of water shooting out from the moon,” said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
Last year, NASA invited folks to come up with ideas for instruments to study Europa. Thirty-three were reviewed overall, but only 9 were chosen. We warn you: although NASA is the king of acronyms, these instruments have some pretty shitty names and could sound a lot cooler, (though ICEMAG has a sort of ring to it).
Without further ado, the 9 chosen instruments are…
1. Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) This instrument is the ultimate key in determining the thickness of the ice shell covering the moon, the ocean depth, and its salinity. It works closely with a magnetometer and will correct the magnetic induction signal for the plasma currents on Europa.
2. Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) This lil guy will probe the surface composition, seeking salts, organics, and water ice phases for mapping.
3. Interior Characterization of Europa using Magnetometry (ICEMAG) A magnometer that’s in cahoots with PIMS, it uses multi-frequency electromagnetic sounding to find Europa’s oceans.
4. Europa Imaging System (EIS) This instrument has wide and narrow camera angles to map most of Europa at 50-meter resolution, while some areas will be up to 100 times better resolution.
5. Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) It’s a dual-frequency ice penetrating instrument ready to uncover the structure of Europa’s ice crust.
6. Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) Seeking out heat, this fella will provide NASA with high spatial resolution and multi-spectral thermal imaging to help deactivate vents from potentially doing their thing.
7. MAss SPectrometer for Planetary EXploration/Europa (MASPEX) This bad boy will measure the atmosphere of Europa, as well as any material ejected into space, in order to figure out the composition of the ocean’s surface and subsurface.
8. Ultraviolet Spectrograph/Europa (UVS) Using the same technique as the Hubble Telescope, the UVS will seek out water plumes erupting from Europa’s surface, collecting data on the atmosphere.
9. SUrface Dust Mass Analyzer (SUDA) Kinda like the UVS, this instrument will measure the solid projectiles coming off Europa, and will allow NASA to sample the surface of the planet on low-altitude flybys.
—–
Follow redOrbit on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.
redOrbit.com
offers Science, Space, Technology, Health news, videos, images and
reference information. For the latest science news, space news,
technology news, health news visit redOrbit.com frequently. Learn
something new every day.”
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113397362/europa-mission-starts-with-selection-of-instruments-052615/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,707,530,488 |
| Stories: | 8,447,978 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
