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Since Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby, scientists have speculated about Miranda’s potential as an “ocean world.” It could harbor a hidden ocean beneath its icy crust. Such a finding wouldn’t be entirely surprising, as moons like Europa and Ganymede have been shown to possess liquid water beneath frozen surfaces. But, until recently, confirming the existence of an ocean on Miranda was out of reach. A new study has taken steps to do just that. Using geological mapping and stress modeling, researchers calculated Miranda’s ice shell and possible ocean thicknesses. Their findings indicate that Miranda’s cru…

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