Europa is one of the four moons of Jupiter referred to as the Galilean satellites. Discovered by Galileo in 1610. Europa is the smallest of the four and its landscape is very much like a cracked cue-ball. A relatively young moon and its surface looks like water seeping through faults which may have smoothed the surface ice leaving the long stains. A global ocean may lie in the darkness under ground....under this ice!
I've purposely left out any Jupiter imaging on all four pieces and focused on the landscape and mythological stories of each moon. The star constellations behind this moon shape represent all the many named stories. In Europa's case the Taurus Bull is attached to the story...Callisto is connected to "The Bear" constellation.. note: Europa's story as the others....disguises, kidnapping, lovemaking, birthing sons and in this myth Europa becomes queen of Crete.
I'm looking at IO as the last of the Galilean moons. There is more interesting myth and also some interesting science and possibly more water?!
Next will be Saturn, a huge distance from Jupiter...twice as far as Mercury to Jupiter so this will be a long ride! Is anyone familiar with a short story or book written about the moon Titan by Vonnegut? I have been on a search.
This will be a long trip in the darkness and I'm packing sandwiches and snacks for the travel ahead. Even though I haven't left my chair, I can't help but feel the distance away from planet Earth and the Sun. Getting into this SPACE is a mind altering experience...very much like leaving home.
FYI: My computer is giving me fits and has been SLOW to visit some bloggers and if I do visit its even slower to leave a comment so I give up...I'm calling in the computer guy next week!
