Jupiter's Moon Callisto: Subsurface Ocean Evidence Confirmed by NASA Data Analysis

New analysis of NASA's Galileo mission data strengthens the likelihood of a subsurface ocean on Jupiter's moon Callisto. The study, published in AGU Advances, re-examined magnetic measurements from Galileo's flybys, revealing that Callisto's ionosphere alone cannot account for the observed magnetic reactions. Factoring in a liquid ocean beneath a thick ice shell provides a more consistent explanation. Callisto, the third-largest moon in the solar system, already has a salty ocean, and a layer of rocks more than 150 miles beneath the surface. Both are key conditions known for leading to life on Earth. Oxygen and hydrogen have also been detected in Callisto's extremely thin atmosphere. Future missions like Europa Clipper and JUICE may further confirm the presence and characteristics of this ocean, potentially offering insights into the possibility of life beyond Earth.