Jim Waters

Astronomy
Part 2 independent Project

Water in Our Solar System

Enceladus- Is located near the rings of Saturn, recently we have

learned that Enceladus could possibly have a warm and salty ocean. We

have known about Enceladus since 1789. Astronomers have discovered that

this smaller sized moon, whose diameter is only 310 miles, holds some of the

best conditions for a water in its liquid form. This moon is said to be one of

the most interesting places in the solar system due to the high possibility for

life.

Ganymede- This moon is the largest moon in our solar system, that

orbits Jupiter. Its diameter is 3,373 miles and is the only moon known to have

a magnetic field. Ganymede is covered by a 100-mile-thick ice crust, that is

said to possibly hide a salty ocean. The ocean that may be covered by the

ice, is said to possibly hold more water than here on Earth. Although the

disruptions in the moons geology is not fully understood, it is likely that it is

due to tectonic activity.

Venus- Although there is not any water on the surface of Venus, it is

still possible that there is water in the clouds and atmosphere. Astronomers

have confirmed that Venuss atmosphere consists of .002% water vapor,

compared to Earths .40%. Even so, some believe that Venus is similar to
Earth. Astronomers believe the reason Venus does not carry as much water

as Earth because Earths magnetosphere protects against the Sun.

Europa- Europa is the sixth largest moon on the solar system. Similar

to Ganymede, Europa has an icy crust likely to be concealing an ocean

underneath. The tidal effects from Jupiter could cause the water under the

ice to be in liquid form and may even be warm. Astronomers say Europa may

provide the perfect atmosphere for life. The Hubble Telescope found water

vapor plumes like those found on Enceladus, which was possibly caused by

cryogeysers.

Callisto- Is another moon of Jupiter said to possibly be containing

water. Recently astronomers have made some new discoveries when it

comes to the existence of water on this moon. However, we are unsure what

form the water is in, whether it is liquid or Ice. This moon is the furthest of

the four moons that orbit Jupiter, which is said to also contain the least

amount of radiation as well.

Ceres- is a small asteroid or dwarf planet (classified as both) that has a

diameter of 585 miles. Studies have shown that Ceres contains plumes of

water vapors and is possibly made up of an Icy mantle, with a slushy ocean

below. Ceres is located between Mars and Jupiter, if this is correct, that would

make this the closest planet to Earth with an ocean.

Mars- Probably once had oceans, one that possibly covered a good

portion of the northern hemisphere. There are many signs of water once
being present if not still on Mars. The canyons found on Mars is a good sign

that water was or is still present on the planet, though not visible on the

surface in the form of lakes, rivers, etc. Therefore, if water is still present on

the planet Mars, it would be in the form of aquifers or frozen at its polar caps.

Mars 2020 and the ExoMars Probe will be searching for the answers to these

question very soon.

Titian- This is Saturns largest and most intriguing satellite and is the

second largest moon in the solar system. Titian has more pools of liquid

found anywhere in the solar system. However, it is in the form of methane.

Titian has a smooth surface, with few impact craters. Other than Earth, Titan

is the only known object in our solar system that has surface lakes and seas.

Astronomers discovered this using Cassini, a unmanned spacecraft.

Mimas- Mimas also known as the Death Star moon is basically one

gigantic snowball. This moon wobbles as it orbits Saturn, which is a sign of

unusual activity beneath the surface. The Cassini team believes it could

possibly be an ocean. However, other astronomers also predict Mimas may

contain an odd shaped core giving Mimas an unusual tilt.

Triton- Is the largest moon orbiting around Neptune. Triton has an Icy

outer layer, and possibly contains an ocean between the ice and the rock

core. Triton is the only large moon in our solar system that has a retrograde

orbit. This dwarf planet has relatively few impact craters, therefore, leading
astronomers to believe Tritons surface is very young. The surface of Triton is

filled with complex ridges and valleys, which could be a sign of tectonics.

Pluto- Pluto, like many of the planets and moons mentioned previously,

may contain a liquid ocean under its icy crust. If Pluto is completely frozen, it

would cause the planet to contract or shrink. Studies show no sign of global

contraction visible on Plutos surface. In fact, quite the opposite. Nasas New

Horizons spacecraft revealed that Pluto has been expanding. The surface of

Pluto has mountains hundreds of meters high, as well as, large tectonic

features like sinuous faults. Sinuous Faults are up to 4 kilometers deep and

hundreds of kilometers long. These tectonic features have astronomers

questioning if a subsurface ocean is present on Pluto.

Earth- The water on Earth covers about 71% of its surface. 96.5% of all

the Earths water is held by the salt water oceans. However, Earth still

contains water vapor in the air and atmosphere, in ice caps and glaciers,

underground, in aquifers, and in you and I. As talked about in part one of this

individual project, here on Earth we have whats known as the water cycle.

Although most only notice the surface water on Earth, there is more fresh

water stored in the ground than there is on the surface. If you were to take

all the water here on Earth and turn it into a sphere, the diameter would be

about 860 miles or about 1,385 kilometers.

Sources List:
 https://www.nasa.gov/content/searching-for-water-in-the-solar-system-and-

beyond

www.nasa.gov/jpl/the-solar-system-and-beyond-is-awash-in-water

http://sci.esa.int/iso/31364-solar-system/

www.universetoday.com

www.nasa.gov

www.space.com

www.astrobio.net