Disappearance of geysers from Jupiter's Europa moon leaves scientists baffled

In December 2013 the Hubble telescope spotted water vapour above Europa But follow-up observations have failed to make the same observation The vapour was thought to be a sign of plumes of liquid on the surface Their disappearance is a mystery and several theories have been proposed Dr Retherford tells Space.com that it is likely just due to suitable conditions not being present at the time of the repeated observations But it could more worryingly be that the initial observation was incorrect

By Jonathan O'Callaghan for MailOnline

Published: 11:44 EST, 5 September 2014 | Updated: 14:48 EST, 5 September 2014

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It has been suggested that geysers spurting out of Jupiters moon Europa may be an opportunity to spot alien life originating beneath the surface.

This was based on observations by the Hubble Space Telescope in December 2013 that saw water vapour being ejected from the moon, lending evidence to the existence of jets.

But now scientists are somewhat baffled as they have been unable to explain why follow-up observations have failed to spot the same geysers.

In December 2013 the Hubble telescope spotted water vapour above Europa. But follow-up observations have failed to make the same observation. The vapour was thought to be a sign of plumes of liquid on the surface (illustration shown). Their disappearance is a mystery and several theories have been proposed

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Disappearance of geysers from Jupiter's Europa moon leaves scientists baffled