Europa, moon of Jupiter, is one of the moon in our solar system that has a potential to sustain life. It is believed to have at least 3 ingredients of life: water, energy and chemistry (NASA). Beneath it’s thin ice layer, Europa has a potential to have a liquid water based ocean .

Tidal Flexing

Europa’s icy moon goes through a constant stretch and release process via the gravity of Jupiter. This process is likely to increase the temperature inside Europa’s thin ice layers. This has resulted in likely possibilities that with the increase in temperatures, the ice will melt resulting in availability of liquid temperature.

Chemistry

For Europa to sustain and support life, it needs to have a presence of various elements such as phosphorus, sulfur, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. It is currently believed that the needed chemical elements are present in Europa during its formation. In addition, tidal flexing contributes to the presence of the chemical elements. It will create a wet environment with chemical elements that can support life. With this, it is highly possible for it to have presence of single-celled organism or some form of life.