From: NASANews@hq.nasa.gov
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 13:14:27 -0500 (EST)
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject:  Latest Images of Icy Europa and Debate 
over Surface Age to be Featured in April 9 Galileo 
Briefing

Douglas Isbell
Headquarters, Washington, DC         April 4, 1997
(Phone:  202/358-1753)

Jane Platt
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
(Phone:  818/354-5011)

NOTE TO EDITORS:  N97-25

LATEST IMAGES OF ICY EUROPA AND DEBATE OVER SURFACE 
AGE TO BE FEATURED IN APRIL 9 GALILEO BRIEFING

     New images of Europa from NASA's Galileo mission 
and related animation supporting the theory that the 
icy moon of Jupiter may have a subsurface ocean will 
be presented at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 
9, at 2 p.m. EDT.  The briefing will originate from 
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, and 
will be carried live on NASA Television. 

     The latest images were taken during Galileo's 
closest flyby of Europa on Feb. 20, 1997, when the 
spacecraft came within 363 miles of the Jovian moon 
and took very high resolution images of features in 
regions never before studied.

     The tantalizing new images and data indicate 
Europa has a thin ice crust covering either liquid 
water or slush.  Scientists are intrigued by the 
prospect that a slushy concoction of chemicals in this 
region could nurture life.  The briefing will include 
outside experts raising the possibility that Europa's 
oceans may contain thermal vents, sea ice and other 
phenomena found on Earth.

     The estimated age of Europa's surface also will 
be discussed, with controversial new information 
leading some scientists to conclude the surface is 
much younger than previously believed.  As evidence of 
that, images will be shown of relatively smooth, 
crater-free areas. 

     NASA Television is available through GE-2, 
Transponder 9C at 85 degrees West longitude, vertical 
polarization, with a frequency of 3880 Mhz, and audio 
of 6.8 Mhz.  The new images of Europa will be released 
on the Galileo Internet home page at the following URL:

            http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo/

                         -end-