Abstract

Fluid physics govern many phenomena in the Universe. For example, fluid processes in Earth’s polar regions are central to understanding Earth’s climate system and can also give insight into the climate systems of other planetary bodies. In this talk, I will describe how polar research on Earth may help us understand ocean properties on icy satellites in the Solar System, where in-situ measurements are not available. We will largely focus on Europa, a moon of Jupiter, thought to have an ice shell overlying a global liquid-water ocean. How does this ice shell grow and move? What can the thermodynamics and dynamics governing this growth and movement tell us about the evolution of Europa and help us infer about its subsurface ocean? We will discuss how idealized models of Europa’s ice shell, adapted from considerations of Earth’s cryosphere, can be coupled with forthcoming planetary observations to infer physical properties that cannot be directly measured. Finally, we will discuss how fluid dynamics can help us explore open questions in geophysical and astrophysical sciences both on Earth and beyond.