Spiky ice spires may stud the equator of Jupiter’s moon Europa

The tall structures could make it hard for probes to land along the Jovian moon’s equator

Europa icy spires

THIN ICE  Icy spires jut from Chile’s Chajnantor plain on Earth. Similar structures, called penitentes, may ring the equator on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa.

ESO

Europa’s frozen landscape could be treacherous territory for future lunar landers.