Scientists may have solved a chemistry mystery about Jupiter's ocean moon Europa

image via Space.com

July 23, 2025, 6:00 PM

• •Scientists have found higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Europa's chaos terrains alongside elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
• •Experiments simulating Europa's surface environment show that even small amounts of CO2 in water ice can greatly boost hydrogen peroxide production.
• •This helps explain unexpected observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which detected higher levels of H2O2 in Europa's warmer equatorial regions.
• •The findings provide clues to understanding JWST observations and support upcoming investigations by Europa Clipper and ESA's JUICE spacecraft.

A recent study sheds light on the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on Jupiter's moon Europa, addressing a long-standing mystery. Researchers discovered higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the chaos terrains of Europa, along with elevated H2O2 levels. Experiments simulating Europa's surface environment confirmed that even small amounts of CO2 in water ice significantly boost H2O2 production, aligning with observations from the James Webb Space Telescope. This research provides valuable insights into Europa's surface composition and supports upcoming investigations by the Europa Clipper mission.

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