Oceans on icy moons may boil, shaping surfaces
New models show icy moons may have boiling oceans that shape their surfaces. Study in Nature Astronomy.
Why it matters
- Icy moons could host life, making their geology key for astrobiology.
- Explains how some moons hide oceans beneath geologically "dead" surfaces.
By the numbers
- Study focuses on small moons like Mimas (<250 miles across).
- Larger moons like Titania behave differently due to size.
The big picture
- Tidal forces heat icy moons, causing melting/freezing cycles.
- Melting ice may drop pressure, causing oceans to boil and reshape surfaces.
- Explains ridges and cracks on moons like Miranda and Mimas.
What they're saying
- Lead author: Max Rudolph (UC Davis).
- No direct expert quotes, but top comment links to the paper.
Caveats
- Based on models, not direct observations.
- Behavior varies by moon size.
What’s next
- Guides future missions to study icy moons.
- May inspire new models or observations.