How Does Icy Moons: Exploring Europa and Enceladus Work?

Imagine Europa and Enceladus are two icy moons that might have oceans underneath their frozen surfaces, just like a lake under a thick layer of ice on Earth.

Think about a lake in winter. The top freezes into ice, but the water below is still liquid. Europa and Enceladus are kind of like that, they're covered with ice, but there's probably water beneath it. Scientists believe this hidden ocean might even have life inside it!

To explore these moons, scientists use spacecraft. They send them on long trips through space to reach Europa and Enceladus. Once they get there, the spacecraft can take pictures or even collect samples from the ice, kind of like poking a hole in the lake's ice to see what’s below.

Sometimes, the ice cracks open, and plumes of water shoot out into space. It's like when you pop open a soda bottle, fizz and spray! Scientists watch these plumes to learn more about what's inside the moon.

Exploring Europa and Enceladus is like taking a peek under a frozen lake with a spaceship, exciting, fun, and full of surprises!