On Monday (March 4), scientists revealed their achievement in quantifying the presence of molecular oxygen—the type essential for life on Earth—around Jupiter’s moon Europa.

Despite prior estimations of the icy moon’s oxygen levels, this marks the first direct measurement of such content.

In summary, the findings fell short of some previously high estimates.

Does this suggest that Europa, thought to contain a substantial ocean of briny water beneath its icy surface, may be less conducive to the emergence of life, at least as we understand it?

Not necessarily, but it does prompt intriguing discussions that warrant additional exploration.

As per the research, earlier assessments of Europa’s oxygen levels relied on deducing information from atomic oxygen emissions linked to the moon.

Unlike molecular oxygen, composed of two oxygen atoms, atomic oxygen consists of just one, Space.com reported.

Although the latter is not breathable, scientists likely assumed that understanding its presence around Europa could provide some constraints on the overall production of breathable oxygen on the moon.

This reasoning, coupled with additional analyses through remote observations, did impose certain limits on the oxygen associated with this Jovian satellite.

However, the recent study went a step further in refining these predictions.

Utilizing NASA’s Juno probe and delving into ice chemistry, the researchers successfully obtained a direct measurement of Europa’s oxygen content.

Essentially, as outlined in the study’s abstract, Europa’s icy surface might undergo a water-splitting process, presenting a potential avenue for further exploration.

Written by B.C. Begley