Which Galilean moon is most likely to support life?

Answer 1

Perhaps Europa, which may have a liquid water ocean beneath the icy crust.

But who can tell? Io, with its sulfurous volcanoes, whose eruptions reach all the way to orbit? Our own earthly bacteria live in sulfur hot springs and volcanic fumaroles beneath the sea; our bacteria might think Io their equivalent of heaven. Or rocky Ganymede? How about Callisto?

The fact is, we can barely imagine the breadth of life here on our own Earth, where we can see the variety of "life as we know it". Can we truly eliminate ANY of the Jovian moons from harboring "life as we can barely imagine it"?

Answer 2

There is speculation that Europa may have a liquid ocean. If it does there is a possibility that life may exist around thermal vents - similar to ones on Earth called black smokers.

See related links for more information.

Answer 3

Europa