This is a composite image of the interior of the Galilean satillites.
Click on image for full size

Internal Warming of an Icy Moon

If the satellite has means of warming itself, then beside surface changes due to evolution, then the interior may go through many startling changes as the moon evolves. The moon may have water inside, and water may exist close enough to the surface to produce conditions favorable for life. The moon may also change it's size, and grow or shrink as the layers inside go through various phases of freezing or warming.

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Traveling Nitrogen Classroom Activity Kit

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Evolution of the Interior of Icy Moons

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Amalthea

Amalthea was discovered by E Barnard in 1872. Of the 17 moons it is the 3rd closest to Jupiter, with a standoff distance of 181,300 km. Amalthea is about the size of a county or small state, and is just...more

Callisto

Callisto was first discovered by Galileo in 1610, making it one of the Galilean Satellites. Of the 60 moons it is the 8th closest to Jupiter, with a standoff distance of 1,070,000 km. It is the 2nd largest...more

Evolution of Callisto

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Very Large Impact Crater

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Surface of Callisto

The surface of Callisto is deeply pockmarked with craters. It looks to be perhaps the most severely cratered body in the solar system. There are also very large craters to be found there. The severity...more

Europa

Europa was first discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610, making it one of the Galilean Satellites. Europa is Jupiter's 4th largest moon, 670,900 km from Jupiter. With a diameter that is about half the distance...more

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