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Constraint of Europan ice thickness by measuring electromagnetic emissions induced by neutrino interaction
Author(s) -
Shoji D.,
Kurita K.,
Tanaka H. K. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2010gl046460
Subject(s) - crust , neutrino , observable , monte carlo method , constraint (computer aided design) , geology , geophysics , layer (electronics) , physics , materials science , particle physics , geometry , nanotechnology , mathematics , statistics , quantum mechanics
The thickness of the solid icy layer of Europa, which is coupled to the existence of a subsurface ocean, has been poorly constrained because of limitations in the amount of observational data. It remains unclear as to whether thin‐crust or thick‐crust models are appropriate. In the present paper, we propose a new method by which to determine the thickness of the icy layer using coherent electromagnetic emissions induced by high‐energy neutrinos in outer space. Through a Monte‐Carlo simulation of the interaction between neutrinos and ice, we evaluated the number of observable emissions, which depends on the thickness of the Europan ice up to 8 km. This method, if used on future missions to Europa, can provide a new constraint for the icy layer and can resolve the debate as to whether the thin‐crust or thick‐crust model is applicable to Europa.