The Europa Clipper spacecraft from NASA is on a lengthy mission through our solar system, making its way to Jupiter’s ice-covered moon, Europa. Its primary aim is to investigate whether Europa could have harbored life in the past. However, before reaching its destination, the spacecraft is conducting research closer to Earth.
Recently, scientists at NASA utilized Europa Clipper’s instrumentation to capture data on Mars, as the spacecraft flew within 550 miles of the Martian surface on March 1. This close encounter allowed Clipper to leverage Mars’ gravity for a speed boost, presenting a unique opportunity for research.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
The team tested one of Clipper’s instruments, the Europa Thermal Imaging System (E-THEMIS), by capturing images of Mars on its path. This infrared camera detects temperature variations across the planet’s surface and will also be employed to analyze features on Europa that display ridges and fractures, likely created by water from a subsurface ocean breaking through the icy crust.
“Our objective is to measure the temperature of these geological features,” explained Phil Christensen, principal investigator for E-THEMIS at Arizona State University. “If Europa is geologically active, we expect the fractures to be warmer than the surrounding ice. Alternatively, if water has erupted onto the surface in the past, those areas might still maintain higher temperatures.”
The E-THEMIS images highlight temperature differences on Mars, showing warmer regions near the equator and colder zones at the poles. The team captured 1,000 grayscale images, which were then combined to produce a color composite displaying temperature variations.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
These images not only showcase the features of Mars but also served as a valuable test of the instrument against established data, ensuring that all of Clipper’s onboard systems, including its radar component, are functioning properly.
“We wanted to avoid any surprises with these new images,” stated Christensen. “The aim was to capture images of a planetary body that we understand very well and ensure that the new dataset aligns perfectly with two decades of Mars observation.”
With all systems operational, Clipper is set to continue its journey, with an expected arrival at Jupiter in 2030.
