Nasa's search for a possible habitat that may support life elsewhere in the Solar System got a boost when it found signs that Jupiter's icy moon of Europa has a global, saline liquid ocean beneath its surface.

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, the space agency found water vapour plumes spewed out from the moon which is the sixth closest to the gas giant, in a discovery that means any future mission there will not require drilling through miles of ice to test the composition of the ocean.

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Scientists have long suspected Europa had a liquid ocean beneath its icy crust – making it a target for the search for life in our Solar System.

It is thought to be heated through tidal forces, which makes the moon flex and stretch, and creates the heat necessary for the ocean to remain liquid instead of freezing solid, making it particularly interesting for scientists.

Nasa is planning a mission to the moon to look at the composition of the ocean, the thickness of its shell and its geology. While its primary goal is not to search for life, it is thought its chemistry could be suitable for life to exist.

Presenting the findings, which will be published in the Astrophysical Journal, astronomer with the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, William Sparks, said: "Today we are presenting new evidence of water vapour plumes from the ice of Europa.

europa water vapour plumes
A comparison of 2014 transit and 2012 Europa aurora observations. NASA, ESA, W. Sparks left image) L. Roth (right image
europa water vapour plumes
These images relate to the probability the plume features are real. Ten transit images of Europa were obtained and statistically significant evidence for off-limb features, possibly plumes, was found on three occasions NASA, ESA, W. Sparks STScI

"Observations indicate a global saline liquid water ocean engulfs the moon at this present time {...} if there are plumes it means we may be able to explore Europa for signs of life without having to drill through miles of ice."

Jennifer Wiseman, senior Hubble project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre, said the team was "thrilled" about the findings, adding it shows the importance of Hubble and the scientific research it can be used to conduct. "[Hubble] enabled this detection of evidence for water plumes on Europa. Hubble is the only telescope we have right now to observe Europa to this detail with ultraviolet light," she said.

europa water vapour plumes
This composite image shows suspected plumes of water vapour erupting at the 7 o’clock position off the limb of Jupiter’s moon Europa NASA/ESA/W. Sparks STScI/USGS Astrogeology Science Center