Astronomy
Formation of Jupiter's Galilean Moons from Circumplanetary Disks
Quick fact
The Galilean moons likely formed from a disk of gas and dust around Jupiter within a few hundred thousand years, with the innermost moons (Io and Europa) becoming rock-rich and the outermost ones (Ganymede and Callisto) retaining abundant water ice.
Why this is interesting
You've probably seen pictures of Jupiter's four big moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—but have you ever wondered how they came to be so different from each other?