Because of the DAWN-mission

Assumed that DAWN confirms that Ceres is covered by a layer of water ice lots of km - perhaps 100 - thick and liquid oceans exist in the depth of the layer - which planet of both would your prefer regarding the search for life: the jovian Moon Europa or Ceres?

Please consider the aspect that Ceres is closer to the sun by a few 100 mio km.



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

My vote is for Europa. The tidal forces that keep Io molten are the forces that will keep Europas possible ocean liquid--plus give rise to volcanic smokers that give off the ingrediants of chemosynthysis--the only mechanism to keep life-forms alive at that distance from the sun.

Ceres is likely dead.

But Europa is harder to get to. A small Delta II can get to Mars and just aerobrake and pop a chute. Ceres is small and also nearby.

But Europa will likely need Ares V, because it will take a sizable rocket to slow and deploy a lander that will have to burn its engines all the way down and deploy a cryobot to melt its way thru to swim around and visit smokers.

This demands heavy lift.

Europa has the best chances for liquid water and therefore perhaps some sort of life. Even it was a tiny possibility against a most likely zero chance on Ceres, i don't call that a choice.