Tag Archives: shell

New Findings Reveal Europa’s Ice Shell is Significantly Thicker Than Previously Believed

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Recent microwave measurements from NASA’s Juno spacecraft indicate that Europa’s icy shell could extend nearly 29 kilometers (18 miles) deep, significantly altering planetary scientists’ understanding of how this intriguing moon facilitates the exchange of vital chemicals between its hidden ocean and surface.

Artist’s concept showing a cross-section of Europa’s icy shell. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / Koji Kuramura / Gerald Eichstädt.

Europa has captivated planetary scientists for over 40 years.

The question of whether Jupiter’s icy moons can support life has sparked extensive debate among researchers.

Interest in Europa’s potential habitability surged when NASA’s Galileo spacecraft revealed an ocean of saline water beneath its icy crust, complemented by surface cracks.

On September 29, 2022, NASA’s Juno spacecraft flew by Europa at an altitude of 360 km (220 miles).

During this flyby, Juno’s Microwave Radiometer (MWR), which is primarily designed to analyze Jupiter’s atmosphere, gathered brightness temperature data at various depths within Europa’s icy crust.

Juno project scientist Steve Levin and his team utilized this MWR data to conclude that the icy shell averages approximately 29 kilometers in thickness.

“The estimated thickness of 29 km pertains to the cold, dense, electrically conductive outer layer of Europa’s water ice shell,” Dr. Levin stated.

“If a slightly warmer convective layer exists beneath, the total thickness could be even greater.”

“Conversely, if the ice shell contains a moderate amount of dissolved salts, as some models suggest, the thickness could decrease by around 5 km (3 miles).”

“A thicker shell implies that oxygen and nutrients have longer distances to travel to connect Europa’s surface with its subsurface ocean, as indicated by the MWR data.”

Understanding this exchange process is crucial for future studies on Europa’s habitability.

Furthermore, MWR data shed light on the composition of Europa’s subsurface ice.

This technology uncovered “scatterers,” irregularities such as cracks, pores, and voids that scatter microwaves reflected off the ice.

These scatterers, estimated to be only a few inches in diameter, are believed to extend hundreds of feet below the surface.

The small size and shallow depth of these features suggest they are unlikely to serve as significant pathways for transporting oxygen and nutrients from the surface to the salty ocean beneath.

“The thickness of the ice shell, along with the presence of cracks and pores, adds complexity to our understanding of Europa’s potential for habitability,” remarked Scott Bolton, Ph.D., Juno’s principal investigator at the Southwest Research Institute.

“These findings provide essential context for NASA’s Europa Clipper and ESA’s Juice missions, both en route to the Jupiter system.”

“The Europa Clipper is expected to arrive in 2030, followed by Juice the next year.”

The team’s new results were published in the Journal on December 17, 2025, in Nature Astronomy.

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S.M. Levin et al. 2026. Characterization of Europa’s ice thickness and subsurface structure using the Juno microwave radiometer. Nat Astron 10, 84-91; doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02718-0

Source: www.sci.news

Breakthrough Model Reveals How Nutrients Might Access Europa’s Icy Shell to Nourish Its Hidden Ocean

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Geophysicists from Washington State University and Virginia Tech have uncovered a potential pathway for nutrient transport from the radioactive surface of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, to its subsurface ocean.

Artist’s concept of the oceans of Jupiter’s moon Europa. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Europa is believed to host more liquid water than all of Earth’s oceans combined, but this vast ocean lies beneath a thick, ice-covered shell that obstructs sunlight.

This ice layer means that any potential life in Europa’s oceans must seek alternative sources of nutrition and energy, raising important questions about how these aquatic environments can support life.

Moreover, Europa is under constant bombardment from intense radiation emitted by Jupiter.

This radiation interacts with salts and other surface materials on Europa, producing nutrients beneficial for marine microorganisms.

While several theories exist, planetary scientists have struggled to determine how nutrient-rich surface ice can penetrate the thick ice shell to reach the ocean below.

Europa’s icy surface is geologically active due to the gravitational forces from Jupiter; however, ice movements primarily occur horizontally rather than vertically, which limits surface-to-ocean exchange.

Dr. Austin Green from Virginia Tech and Dr. Katherine Cooper from Washington State University sought inspiration from Earth to address the surface recycling challenge.

“This innovative concept in planetary science borrows from well-established principles in Earth science,” stated Dr. Green.

“Notably, this approach tackles one of Europa’s persistent habitability questions and offers hope for the existence of extraterrestrial life within its oceans.”

The researchers focused on the phenomenon of crustal delamination, where tectonic compression and chemical densification in Earth’s crust lead to the separation and sinking of crustal layers into the mantle.

They speculated whether this process could be relevant to Europa, especially since certain regions of its ice surface contain dense salt deposits.

Previous investigations indicate that impurities can weaken ice’s crystalline structure, making it less stable than pure ice.

However, delamination requires that the ice surface be compromised, enabling it to detach and submerge within the ice shell.

The researchers proposed that dense, salty ice, surrounded by purer ice, could sink within the ice shell, thereby facilitating the recycling of Europa’s surface and nourishing the ocean beneath.

Using computer simulations, they discovered that as long as the surface ice is somewhat weakened, nutrient-rich ice laden with salts can descend to the bottom of the ice shell.

This recycling process is swift and could serve as a reliable mechanism for providing essential nutrients to Europa’s oceans.

The team’s study has been published in the Planetary Science Journal.

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AP Green and CM Cooper. 2026. Dripping into destruction: Exploring the convergence of viscous surfaces with salt in Europa’s icy shell. Planetary Science Journal 7, 13; doi: 10.3847/PSJ/ae2b6f

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Conch Shell Blowing May Benefit Those with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Recent studies have indicated significant enhancements in daytime alertness, overall sleep quality, and reductions in apnea paralysis index, suggesting that respiratory muscle training using blown shanks (conch) could become a novel approach for alleviating obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in the future.

Upper airway muscle training through shank blowing enhances subjective assessments of daytime drowsiness and sleep quality by improving objective indicators of obstructive sleep apnea severity. Image credit: Sharma et al., doi: 10.1183/23120541.00258-2025.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep due to airway obstructions.

This condition leads to excessive snoring, disrupted sleep patterns, and daytime fatigue, while also heightening the chances of hypertension, cardiovascular issues, and strokes.

Blowing the shell of a conch or shank has been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries.

Recent research revealed that individuals with moderate OSA who engaged in shank blowing experienced improved sleep quality, greater daytime alertness, and fewer nighttime breathing disturbances.

Dr. Krishna Sharma, a researcher at the Eternal Heart Care Center and Research Institute in Jaipur, stated:

“The standard treatment for OSA involves a continuous airway pressure machine (CPAP), which keeps the airways open by delivering airflow through a face mask throughout the night.”

“While effective, many patients find it uncomfortable and struggle to adhere to its use.”

“In my clinical practice, several patients reported feeling more refreshed and experiencing fewer symptoms after regularly practicing shank blowing, a traditional yoga breathing technique that involves expelling air through the conch shell.”

“These insights prompted us to design scientific research to rigorously evaluate whether this ancient technique serves as a substantial treatment for those suffering from OSA.”

The study included 30 participants aged 19-65 diagnosed with moderate OSA, who were evaluated at the Eternal Heart Care Center and labs between May 2022 and January 2024.

Polysonography was utilized for assessment, where participants were monitored during sleep and questioned about their sleep quality and daytime alertness.

They were randomly assigned to either practice blowing conch shells (16 patients) or engage in deep breathing exercises (14 patients).

Participants were provided with traditional shanks used in yoga and received in-person training from the research team before commencing home practice.

They were encouraged to practice at home for at least 15 minutes, five days a week. After six months, participants were re-evaluated.

Those practicing shank blowing exhibited a 34% reduction in daytime sleepiness compared to those doing deep breathing exercises.

Additionally, they recorded higher blood oxygen levels during sleep.

“The technique of blowing the shank is distinct,” Dr. Sharma explained.

“It incorporates deep inhalation followed by a powerful, sustained exhalation through tightly pursed lips.”

“This method generates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which can fortify the upper airway muscles, such as the throat and soft palate.

“The unique spiral design of the shanks may also create acoustic and mechanical effects that assist in stimulating and regulating these muscles.”

“For individuals living with OSA, particularly those who find CPAP uncomfortable, costly, or inaccessible, our findings present a promising alternative.”

“Shank blowing is a simple, low-cost breathing technique that can enhance sleep and mitigate symptoms without reliance on machines or medicine.”

study Published in ERJ Open Research.

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Krishna K. Sharma et al. 2025. Effectiveness of shank blowing on moderate sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. ERJ Open Research 00258-2025; doi:10.1183/23120541.00258-2025

Source: www.sci.news

A carbon-rich dust shell near Wolf Raye 140 has been found by Webb

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Wolf Rayet 140 (also known as WR 140 or HD 193793) is a system of two massive stars located approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. As these stars swing against each other, the stellar winds from each collide, compressing material and forming carbon-rich dust. New observations from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope show that 17 dust shells glowing in the mid-infrared are expanding into the surrounding space at regular intervals.

This image of the carbon-rich Wolf-Rayet star WR 140 was taken by the Webb Mid-Infrared Observer (MIRI) in September 2023. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / E. Lieb, University of Denver / R. Lau, NSF's NOIRLab / J. Hoffman, University of Denver.

“Webb confirmed that Wolf-Rayet 140's dust shell is real,” said Emma Reeve, a doctoral student at the university. “We have shown that there is a visible change in an incredibly short period of time.” Originally from Denver, Colorado.

“All of the shells are moving away from the star at more than 2,600 kilometers per second, which is almost 1% of the speed of light.”

“We're used to thinking of events in the universe as happening slowly over millions or billions of years,” said Jennifer Hoffman, a professor at the University of Denver.

“In this system, the observatory shows that the dust shell is expanding year by year.”

Dr Olivia Jones, an astronomer at the UK Astronomical Technology Center, said: “It's truly amazing to see the real-time movement of these shells during the Webb observations, which were made just 13 months apart.” Ta.

“These new results provide the first glimpse of the potential role of such giant binary stars as dust factories in the universe.”

Like clockwork, the star's winds generate dust for a few months every eight years. The pair approaches each other in a wide and long orbit.

The web also shows where dust stops forming. Look for the dark area in the top left of the image.

The telescope's mid-infrared images detected shells that have survived for more than 130 years. The old shells have dissipated enough that they are now too dark to detect.

Astronomers estimate that a star will eventually produce tens of thousands of dust shells over hundreds of thousands of years.

“The dust in this system is quite cold, so mid-infrared observations are absolutely critical to this analysis,” said Dr. Ryan Lau, an astronomer at the NSF NOIRLab.

“Near-infrared and visible-light observations only show the shells closest to the star.”

“With these amazing new details…
findings Published in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Emma P. Reeve others. 2025. Dynamic signature of dust formation due to wind impact from WR 140. APJL 979, L3; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad9aa9

Source: www.sci.news

Study suggests Mimas, one of Saturn’s moons, could be responsible for forming Earth’s oceans beneath its icy shell

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From a detailed analysis of Mimas’s orbital motion based on data from NASA’s Cassini mission, planetary researchers from the Sorbonne, the University of Nantes, Queen Mary University of London, Franche-Comte University, and Jinan University have discovered that the heavily cratered They showed that some ice shells hide recently formed ice shells. (less than 2-3 million years ago) global ocean 20-30 km deep.

The surface of Mimas, like the surfaces of other major Saturn moons that do not have atmospheres, is not pure ice but contains some black impurities. Relatively dark markings appear along the lower part of the walls of the 130km-wide Herschel Crater (the crater's central peak is about the same height as Mount Everest); the impact may have all but destroyed the Moon. there is). some small craters. Scientists interpret the darkening as evidence that the impurities have gradually become concentrated as icy material evaporates in areas where they are slowly sliding down the crater walls. Image credit: NASA / JPL / Space Science Institute.

There is growing evidence that some moons may have oceans beneath their surfaces, but such watery worlds are difficult to detect.

Mimas — Saturn's innermost and smallest (radius = 198.2 km, or 123 miles) regular moon — is an unlikely candidate due to the different nature of its surface compared to other icy moons such as Enceladus .

This theory has been challenged by Sorbonne University researcher Valerie Rainey and others who are evaluating Cassini's observations of small satellites.

Previous research suggests two possibilities inside Mimas. It is either an elongated rocky core or a global ocean.

A new study reveals that the small moon's rotational motion and orbit change due to internal influences.

For the solid-state model to apply, the rock core must be elongated and approximately pancake-shaped, which is inconsistent with observations.

Rather, measurements of Mimas' position suggest that the evolution of its orbit is better explained as influenced by an internal ocean.

The researchers calculate that the ocean lies beneath an ice shell about 20 to 30 kilometers deep.

Their simulations suggest that it appeared between 25 and 2 million years ago.

Therefore, signs of such an underground ocean would not have had time to leave traces on the surface.

This result suggests that recent processes on Mimas may have been common during the early stages of the formation of other ice worlds.

“Mimas was a small moon with a cratered surface and no sign of an ocean hidden beneath,” said co-author Nick Cooper, a researcher at Queen Mary University of London. the doctor said.

“With this discovery, Mimas joins an exclusive club of moons with inland oceans, including Enceladus and Europa, but with a unique difference: its oceans are surprisingly young.”

of study Published in today's magazine Nature.

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V. Rainey other. 2024. A recently formed ocean within Saturn's moon Mimas. Nature 626, 280-282; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06975-9

Source: www.sci.news