What are Jupiter's moons composed of?

Answer 1

Jupiter has 65 confirmed moons. The 4 large ones are called the Galilean moons. They are Ganymede, Callisto, Io and Europa. Ganymede is composed primarily of silicate rock and water ice. It is a fully differentiated body with an iron-rich, liquid core. A saltwater ocean is believed to exist nearly 200 km below Ganymede's surface, sandwiched between layers of ice. Callisto is composed of approximately equal amounts of rock and ices, with a mean density of about 1.83 g/cm3. Compounds detected spectrally on the surface include water ice, carbon dioxide, silicates, and organics. Investigation by the Galileo spacecraft revealed that Callisto may have a small silicate core and possibly a subsurface ocean of liquid water at depths greater than 100 kilometers With over 400 active volcanoes, Io is the most geologically active object in the Solar System. Unlike most satellites in the outer Solar System (which have a thick coating of ice), Io is primarily composed of silicate rock surrounding a molten iron or iron sulfide core. Most of Io's surface is characterized by extensive plains coated with sulfur and sulfur dioxide frost. Europa is slightly smaller than Earth's Moon and is the sixth-largest moon in the Solar System. Though by a wide margin the least massive of the Galilean satellites, its mass nonetheless significantly exceeds the combined mass of all moons in the Solar System smaller than itself. It is primarily made of silicate rock and likely has an iron core. It has a tenuous atmosphere composed primarily of oxygen. Its surface is composed of ice and is one of the smoothest in the Solar System.

Answer 2

Jupiter's moons are composed of a variety of materials such as rock and ice. Some moons have thin atmospheres and volcanoes, while others exhibit signs of subsurface oceans. The composition varies depending on factors like distance from Jupiter and geological activity.

Answer 3

thick ice water surface with liquid water underneath