Report by Alekhya Chavan
Scientists have made a discovery about Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons.
During a fly-by of Ganymede in June 2021, the Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) spectrometer on board Juno observed the presence of salt and organic compounds on the surface of the moon.
Before this, observatories based near Earth had found some evidence of salts, but the resolution was too low to be sure. This is the first time that we have had clear images to be certain that these are, indeed, salts on the surface.
What’s Ganymede, and why is it so interesting?
Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system, and it orbits Jupiter. It’s special because it’s even larger than the planet Mercury. Ganymede has been a target of interest for scientists because they believe it might have something out of the ordinary hidden beneath its surface.
What did NASA’s Juno spacecraft find on Ganymede?
Recently, NASA’s Juno spacecraft made an interesting discovery during its flyby of Ganymede. It found something surprising beneath the moon’s icy surface: salts!
Now, you might wonder what’s so special about salts, but these aren’t like the table salt you put on your French fries. The salts discovered on Ganymede are like a unique recipe that scientists are eager to learn more about.
Why are these salts of interest?
First, it tells us more about what Ganymede is made of. The salts could be a mix of different minerals, which could give us clues about the moon’s history and how it formed.
Second, the salts on Ganymede are also essential because they can help scientists understand the moon’s underground ocean.
Ganymede has an ocean hidden beneath its icy shell. This ocean is believed to be deeper than any ocean on Earth. The salts might provide valuable information about this ocean.
What can we learn from Ganymede’s ocean?
By understanding the salts in the ocean, scientists can figure out what kind of minerals might be dissolved in it, and if there could be any signs of life.
Image Credit: NASA