Ganymede

Definition

Ganymede is the largest moon of Jupiter and the largest moon in the Solar System. It is a differentiated body with a rocky core and an icy shell, and is the only moon in the Solar System known to have its own magnetic field.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ganymede is the only moon in the Solar System known to have its own internally generated magnetic field.
2. The presence of Ganymede's magnetic field suggests that it has a liquid iron core, similar to Earth's core.
3. Ganymede's surface is composed of two main terrain types: highly cratered dark regions and younger, lighter regions.
4. Tidal heating from Jupiter's gravity is believed to be the primary source of Ganymede's internal heat, which drives its geological activity.
5. Ganymede's subsurface ocean, located between its rocky core and icy shell, is considered a potential habitat for extraterrestrial life.

Review Questions

• Explain how Ganymede's magnetic field is related to its internal structure and composition.
  • Ganymede's internally generated magnetic field suggests that it has a liquid iron core, similar to Earth's core. This liquid iron core is believed to be the result of tidal heating from Jupiter's gravity, which drives convection and the generation of a magnetic field within Ganymede. The presence of a magnetic field also indicates that Ganymede is a differentiated body, with a rocky core and an icy shell.
• Describe the two main terrain types found on Ganymede's surface and how they are believed to have formed.
  • Ganymede's surface is composed of two main terrain types: highly cratered dark regions and younger, lighter regions. The highly cratered dark regions are believed to be the oldest parts of Ganymede's surface, formed early in the moon's history. The younger, lighter regions are thought to have formed later, possibly through tectonic activity or resurfacing events driven by the internal heat generated by tidal heating from Jupiter's gravity.
• Discuss the potential habitability of Ganymede's subsurface ocean and how it relates to the study of extraterrestrial life.
  • Ganymede's subsurface ocean, located between its rocky core and icy shell, is considered a potential habitat for extraterrestrial life. The presence of liquid water, as well as the potential for hydrothermal activity and the availability of essential nutrients, make Ganymede's subsurface ocean a promising target for the study of extraterrestrial life. The exploration of Ganymede's subsurface ocean could provide valuable insights into the conditions necessary for the development and sustenance of life beyond Earth.

Related terms

Galilean Moons: The four largest moons of Jupiter, discovered by Galileo Galilei, which include Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, and Io.

Tidal Forces:

The gravitational forces exerted by one body on another, which can lead to deformation and heating of the bodies involved.

Magnetosphere: The region around a planet or moon where the planet's or moon's magnetic field dominates and interacts with the solar wind.