研究顯示木衛二歐羅巴擁有厚冰殼
Research Suggests Jupiter's Moon Europa Has a Thick Ice Shell
Updated at: July 30, 2026 at 03:45 AM
木星的衛星歐羅巴長期以來讓尋找地外生命的天文學家們著迷。
Jupiter’s moon Europa has long fascinated astronomers searching for extraterrestrial life.
一個重大的問題一直是其神祕冰殼的厚度。
A major question has been the thickness of its mysterious icy shell.
科學家們利用微波輻射計儀器，確定了歐羅巴的冰殼厚度約為18英哩（29公里）。
By using the Microwave Radiometer instrument, scientists have determined that Europa's ice shell is approximately 18 miles (29 kilometers) thick.
這個厚重的障礙對適居性構成了挑戰。
This thick barrier creates a challenge for habitability.
科學家們曾希望表面的氧氣和營養物質能輕易地抵達下方隱藏的鹹水海洋。
Scientists previously hoped that oxygen and nutrients from the surface might easily reach the hidden saltwater ocean below.
此外，在近表面發現的淺層水袋很可能與深層海洋並不連通，這使得尋找生命的工作更加複雜。
Furthermore, shallow water pockets found near the surface likely do not connect to the deep ocean, making the search for life more complex.
雖然這看起來令人沮喪，但它為即將到來的任務提供了重要的背景資訊，例如將在2030年代初抵達的NASA歐羅巴快船（Europa Clipper）和歐洲航太局（ESA）的木星冰月探測器（JUICE）。
While this may seem discouraging, it provides essential context for upcoming missions like the NASA Europa Clipper and ESA JUICE, arriving in the early 2030s.
透過瞭解這個冰凍世界的真實結構，研究人員能更好地解讀未來的數據，並繼續在我們的太陽系中尋找宜居環境。
By understanding the true structure of this icy world, researchers are better prepared to interpret future data and continue their search for habitable environments in our solar system.
