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The Surface Radiation Chemistry of Europa and Implications for a Habitable Ocean

Presenter: Kevin Hand, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
When: March 8, 2004 1PM PST

The surface environment of Europa presents a unique challenge for
astrobiology. While the putative sub-surface ocean may be habitable,
the harsh radiation at the surface will pose severe problems for the
survivability and subsequent detectability of conventional biomarkers.
During this talk I will discuss the implications of the Europan surface
radiation environment for the habitability of a sub-surface ocean and
the implications of this environment for the detection of life on this
moon.

FAR Seminars