Setback for hopes of life as Nasa says less oxygen on Jupiter moon than thought

Research published in Nature Astronomy suggests lower oxygen levels on Europa mean ‘narrower range to support habitability’

New research suggests there’s less oxygen on the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa than thought – and that could affect what if any life might be lurking in Europa’s underground ocean.

Even with little or no oxygen, microbes might still be bustling around in the ocean believed to exist miles beneath Europa’s frozen crust. As for what else, “who knows”, said the Nasa scientist Kevin Hand, who was not involved in the study published on Monday in Nature Astronomy.

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