Antarctic expedition could help search for life beyond the Earth

What does Antarctica have to do with one of Jupiter's moons?

Much more than one might think – what kiwifruit scientists discover on the continent's windiest, coldest and driest continent can even contribute to the search for signs of life on Europa, to 628.3 million kilometers.

But more urgently, their study of Antarctic sea ice formation could answer important questions about how climate change might affect us.

"By examining what happens when the sea ice meets the ocean, scientists will be able to use this information and apply different climate scenarios to" see "the future of our planet, "said Niwa Marine physicist Natalie Robinson, who currently leads a team on the ice.

Each year, the sea ice around Antarctic expands in the winter and retreats in the summer, doubling the size of the continent.

This marks the greatest annual physical change on Earth and influences the atmosphere and the oceans.

Robinson's work examined how colder water from the Ross ice floe was experiencing a warmer ocean and was contributing to the growth of sea ice – and how the sea ice floe melted. below contributed to his loss.

Dr. Fiona Shanhun, Acting Science Advisor for New Zealand Antarctica, said that this work poses questions of global importance on the pack ice.

"The long-term trend shows that the extent of the Antarctic ice sheet is increasing, despite the warming of the ocean," she said.

"This goes against the predictions of climate models." Robinson's work seeks to understand how and why more sea ice is being formed, and this understanding will help to improve models. climate. "

This year, Robinson's team would collaborate with US scientists who were collecting data under the pack ice with a specially designed NASA-funded submarine robot.

Robinson's team, working on the surface, would measure the thickness of the pack ice.

Both teams would then be able to share and compare information that may have implications for exploring life on Europa.

Europa is one of 79 identifiable moons of Jupiter, with an ocean under a thick ice shell.

Like the Earth, it is thought to have an iron core, a rocky mantle, an ocean of salt water – and perhaps even environments where life could exist.

"The Antarctic is the closest terrestrial comparison to Europe," Robinson said.

"Here we can test instruments that can be used on Europa, and by looking at what is happening under the ice and its effects on our planet, we may be able to understand what could be found on Europa."