How Ocean Currents are Changing the Rotation of Europa
It looks like the ocean currents of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, could be responsible for its rotation. According to a recent study published in Nature Astronomy, the ocean currents of Europa, which are driven by Jupiter’s gravity, could be the main source of the moon’s rotation. The study suggests that the ocean currents cause a torque on the moon’s icy surface, which has a significant effect on its rotation. The team of researchers used computer simulations to analyze the possible effects of the ocean currents on Europa’s rotation, and their findings suggest that the current is a major factor in its rotation. This discovery could also provide insight into how other icy moons in the Solar System, such as Enceladus and Ganymede, rotate.
source: Phys.org