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Chapter 13: Problem 21

Why is ice an important constituent of Ganymede and Callisto, but not of the Earth's Moon?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Ice is an important constituent of Ganymede and Callisto because their greater distance from the Sun allows ice to stably exist on their surfaces. Their colder climate conditions are conducive to ice formation and retention. In contrast, Earth's Moon, being closer to the Sun, is too warm for ice to persist on its surface; any ice present would sublimate due to the Sun's heat. This explains why ice is an important feature of Ganymede and Callisto, but not of the Earth's Moon.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Planetary Conditions

The first part here involves understanding the conditions on Ganymede, Callisto, and Earth's Moon. Ganymede and Callisto orbit Jupiter, which is much further away from the sun than Earth is. This means these moons experience much colder temperatures, ideal for ice formation and retention.
02

The Effect of Distance from Sun

Ganymede and Callisto are far enough from the Sun that ice can exist stably on their surfaces. However, Earth's Moon, being much closer to the Sun (being in the Earth's orbit), is too warm for ice to exist on the surface for extended periods of time. The Sun's heat causes any ice on the lunar surface to sublimate, turning it directly from a solid to a gas without a liquid phase.
03

Importance of Ice in Planetary Science

Ice is vital in planetary science as it tells us about the history of a planet or moon's climate and geological activity. For Ganymede and Callisto, their large amounts of ice indicate a much colder climate and potentially catalog a history of water activity on or beneath their surfaces. It also suggests the possibility of subsurface oceans.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

No spacecraft from Earth has ever landed on any of the Galilean satellites. How, then, can we know anything about the chemical compositions of these satellites?

Speculate on the possibility that Europa, Ganymede, or Callisto might harbor some sort of life. Explain your reasoning.

If you could replace our Moon with Io, and if Io could maintain its present amount of volcanic activity, what changes would this cause in our nighttime sky? Do you think that Io could in fact remain volcanically active in this case? Why or why not?

Why are numerous impact craters found on Ganymede and Callisto but not on Io or Europa?

Many of the gases in the atmosphere of Titan, such as methane, ethane, and acetylene, are highly flammable. Why, then, doesn't Titan's atmosphere catch fire? (Hint: What gas in our atmosphere is needed to make wood, coal, or gasoline burn?)
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