A mysterious, spider-like pattern has been spotted on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. This intriguing feature, found within a crater called Manannán, has puzzled scientists for nearly 30 years. Recently, researchers have proposed a new theory to explain its origin.
The saga began in March 1998, when NASA’s Galileo spacecraft flew by Europa. This icy moon is known for having a hidden ocean beneath its surface, making it a prime candidate for extraterrestrial life. During Galileo’s visit, it mapped a 13.7-mile-wide impact structure. Inside this crater, scientists discovered an unusual dark shape.
At first, experts thought the dark pattern—resembling a spider—was a product of gravitational forces from Jupiter or perhaps hydrothermal activity. However, these explanations didn’t completely fit. In a recent study published in The Planetary Science Journal, researchers suggested that the pattern might form similarly to “lake stars” found on Earth. These are created when snow falls on frozen lakes and water seeps up, creating beautiful dendritic designs.
To better understand this, the researchers recreated the process in a lab and officially named the strange pattern Damhán Alla, meaning “spider” in Irish. Laura Mc Keown, a planetary scientist leading the study, noted, “It’s fascinating to think that this pattern could help us learn more about Europa and other icy moons.” The Damhán Alla was likely created by an asteroid impact that cracked Europa’s ice layer, allowing salty water to rise and create the distinctive shape.
Similar spider-like formations exist on Mars, where they appear as dusty deposits resembling swarms of spiders. These Martian formations, known as araneiform terrain, also arise from unique surface processes. Mc Keown’s team has previously recreated these shapes on Earth, showcasing the interconnected nature of these phenomena across planets.
Looking ahead, Mc Keown plans to study how these spider-like features might appear on other moons in the solar system, such as Saturn’s Enceladus and Jupiter’s Ganymede. Her research could provide valuable insights for NASA’s upcoming Europa Clipper mission, scheduled to launch in 2024 and reach Europa in 2030.
As excitement grows about the prospect of discovering life beyond Earth, Mc Keown emphasizes the importance of these surface features. “Observing more formations like Damhán Alla with Europa Clipper could indicate the presence of subsurface brine pools, which are prime locations to look for extraterrestrial life,” she said.
