Galilean moons

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The four largest Galilean moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, are some of the most fascinating objects in our solar system. Io is the innermost of these four large moons, orbiting a mere 262,000 miles from Jupiter's center. Its surface is scarred by numerous volcanoes, with over 400 active ones spewing lava and ash into space. This moon's unique composition is due to tidal heating caused by Jupiter's gravitational pull. Europa, the second largest moon, has a crust of ice covering its ocean beneath. Scientists believe this ocean may harbor life, making it an intriguing target for future missions. The surface of Europa shows evidence of geological activity and possible recent resurfacing events. Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system and orbits Jupiter at a distance of around 428,000 miles from its center. This moon's surface features both dark and light regions due to differences in composition. Ganymede has its own magnetic field, which suggests a liquid iron core beneath the icy crust. Callisto is the outermost of these four large moons and orbits Jupiter at a distance of approximately 879,000 miles. Its surface shows evidence of cratering from impacts, indicating a relatively undisturbed geological history. Scientists believe Callisto may be composed primarily of water ice mixed with darker organic material.