How many places in the solar system have liquid water?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Significant quantities of liquid water are likely present on several moons in the solar system, specifically Europa, Enceladus, Ganymede, Callisto, and Dione. Additional moons such as Rhea, Mimas, Titan, and Tethys are considered possible candidates for containing liquid water. The discussion emphasizes the importance of tidal heating and geothermal activity as potential sources for maintaining liquid water beneath icy surfaces. Mars is noted for its historical water presence and current ice caps, but it is not included in the list of significant liquid water sources.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tidal heating and its effects on celestial bodies
  • Familiarity with the geology of moons, particularly those of Jupiter and Saturn
  • Knowledge of planetary atmospheres and conditions for liquid water
  • Basic concepts of planetary science and astrobiology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geological features of Europa and Enceladus
  • Explore the effects of tidal forces on Ganymede and Callisto
  • Investigate the potential for liquid water on Titan and its hydrocarbon lakes
  • Examine the evidence for underground water on Mars and its implications for past life
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, planetary scientists, and anyone interested in astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life will benefit from this discussion.

dimensionless
Messages
460
Reaction score
1
How many places in the solar system do think have liquid water in significant quantities(I would consider the quantities on Enceladus to be significant, and the quantities on Mars to be insignificant)?

I'd bet there are a half dozen or more moons that have liquid water, but does anyone else, possibly more knowledgeable than myself want to make a guestimate?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
anyone want to take a stab?

I'll start a list.

Probable:

Europa
Enceladus
Ganymede
Callisto
Dione

Possible:

Rhea
Mimas
Titan
Tethys
 
dimensionless said:
anyone want to take a stab?

I'll start a list.

Probable:

Europa
Enceladus
Ganymede
Callisto
Dione

Possible:

Rhea
Mimas
Titan
Tethys

I hope you get a decent response to your question. I believe you are right at least about the top list, but my reaction is that it is probably limited to moons of Jupiter and Saturn that are subjected to a TIDAL MASSAGE by their fellow moons. Would you agree? or could you propose some general conditions? So we don't have to work with lists of moons but can think in terms of some general requirements.

And the question would always be "how deep do you have to go?"
 
Uranus, with 13 moons, might also be a good candidate. I can not comment about comets though. A tidal massage is probably the most likely means, although I wouldn't rule out geothermal.

I'm not totally sure about my list. I'm made it by looking for smooth surfaces and evidence of plate tectonics. I might, in some instances, have some difficulty distinguishing plate tectonics from other types of geologic formations.

Personally I'm not so interested in the depth. My primary interest is the volume. This is the reason, Mars was not put on the list.
 
Me, I'd put Callisto and Dione as possible (not even sure Dione would rate that).

For sure there is 'liquid water' in Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - for 'liquid water' all you need is the right combo of temperature, pressure, and abundance; isn't there a layer (maybe more than one) in the atmosphere of all these where water clouds can form?
 
Titan

That's liquid hydrocarbons, not water.
 
What about Mars?I know it doesn't have water but it did millons of years ago and there might be frozen water still there.
 
scott1 said:
What about Mars?I know it doesn't have water but it did millons of years ago and there might be frozen water still there.
There is definitely still water ice on Mars (major component of its ice caps). The current question is whether there's underground water (and whether that occasionally comes to the surface in liquid form).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
6K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K