Extraterrestrial Cycloids - Why Are They on Europa?

The video explores the unique surface of Europa, focusing on cycloid curves observed by the Galileo Spacecraft. These curves, resembling mathematical cycloids, are formed by Europa's icy surface, which behaves like tectonic plates on Earth. Unlike Earth, Europa's cycloids are not caused by subduction but by tidal forces from Jupiter. Europa's elliptical orbit causes varying gravitational pulls, leading to cycles of compression and tension that create these curves. The video explains how these forces result in the propagation of cracks, forming cycloid patterns.

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