Habitability factor · Planetary Habitability
Energy Source
Life needs a source of energy to drive its chemistry — sunlight for photosynthesis, or chemical and thermal energy where the Sun cannot reach. Tidal heating warms the interiors of the icy moons, powering hydrothermal vents like those that may nourish life on Earth.
Worlds, missions & methods
Knowledge connections
- Member of groupPlanetary Habitability
- Associated withEuropa
- Associated withTiger Stripes
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.