Scientists Explore Iconic Lunar Crater in Search of Alien Life
A lunar crater known for its role in the iconic “Earthrise” photograph has become a focal point in the quest for extraterrestrial life within our solar system. The crater, previously identified as “Pasteur T” and now named Anders’ Earthrise crater, spans nearly 25 miles (40 kilometers) across the moon’s far side. It gained international acclaim after being prominently featured in a photograph taken by American astronaut William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission on December 24, 1968.
In a recent mission, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft, which was launched in April 2023 and is set to reach Jupiter’s orbit in 2031, made a flyby of the moon. This maneuver provided an invaluable opportunity for mission scientists to test the spacecraft’s ten scientific instruments, particularly in the context of searching for signs of habitability on Jupiter’s many moons.
Testing Instruments for Future Discoveries
The encounter with the moon marked the first chance to evaluate JUICE’s instruments on a solid surface in space, as stated by representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA). A key component of this evaluation was the Radar for Icy Moon Exploration (RIME), designed to utilize radio wave echoes for measuring elevation on rocky celestial bodies.
RIME’s primary mission at Jupiter will involve peering beneath the icy surfaces of moons such as Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto to map their hidden rocky layers. To achieve accurate readings, ESA scientists silenced all other instruments on JUICE during the lunar flyby, allowing RIME to observe Anders’ Earthrise crater for a continuous eight minutes.
During this period, RIME successfully mapped the moon’s elevation around the crater. Scientists later compared this data to measurements obtained from previous missions, including those from NASA’s Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA). They identified electronic noise within JUICE that was affecting RIME’s readings, leading to a collaborative effort to develop a new algorithm to rectify the issue.
Enhancing Mapping Capabilities for Future Missions
ESA has since confirmed that the project to refine RIME’s functionality was successful. The updated elevation map of Anders’ Earthrise crater aligns closely with the elevations recorded by LOLA during earlier lunar observations. This validation indicates that RIME is prepared for its significant task of charting the subsurface depths of Jupiter’s largest moons, ultimately contributing to the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life.
Following the flyby, JUICE is now en route to Venus, where the planet’s gravity will assist in propelling the spacecraft towards its final destination. The mission plans to conduct 35 flybys of Jupiter’s most substantial moons before settling into orbit around Ganymede between December 2034 and September 2035.
Studying Jupiter and its moons promises to yield new insights into the formation of gas giants and planetary systems, while also enhancing our understanding of potential life-sustaining environments beneath the icy surfaces of these colossal moons. The data collected during this mission could play a crucial role in answering fundamental questions about life beyond Earth.
