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Listen to part of a lecture in an astronomy class. The professor is discussing the possibility of life on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. Professor: Now, when we think about the search for life beyond Earth, our first thought often goes to Mars. But many astronomers believe that Europa, a moon of Jupiter, might actually be a more promising candidate. Europa is covered in a thick layer of ice, but beneath that ice, there is strong evidence for a global ocean of liquid water. This ocean is kept liquid by tidal heating—the gravitational pull from Jupiter and its other moons causes Europa to flex and heat up internally. Now, on Earth, wherever we find liquid water, we find life, even in extreme environments like deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These vents are dark, under immense pressure, and rich in minerals, yet they teem with life. Some scientists suggest that Europa's ocean floor might have similar hydrothermal vents, providing the energy and nutrients that could support microbial life. However, there are challenges. The ice shell is kilometers thick, making it difficult to access the ocean directly. Future missions, like NASA's Europa Clipper, aim to study the moon's ice shell and ocean more closely, but they will not land on the surface. So, for now, the question remains open. Any thoughts?