Peter Ness wrote:-
Common sense dictates that Europa will eventually revert to an Earth type atmosphere as it moves closer in to a Jupiter orbit
Alas, planets and moons do not respond to mere common sense but instead obey the laws of physics.
One must distinguish very carefully between internal and external heat sources.
Whilst tidal effects might possibly be enough to cause widespread melting of the water on Europa, it will never warm the surface appreciably, so there will always be permanent ice, except for where geysers spout or volcanoes rumble.
These alone cannot generate an atmosphere.
Even if they did, it would not be "Earth-like" since Europa lacks the Nitrogen that composes 80% of the air we breathe. One might also suspect the sustainability of any atmosphere on a low gravity world, tormented by energetic particles.
Space/Science » in reply to Re: Earthlike Moons? yes certainly
Are you sure, Peter?
