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- 1Enceladus findings boost hopes of life on Saturn's moon▼Promising discoveries about the potential for life on one of Saturn’s icy moons
Researchers at Freie Universität Berlin, working with Cassini mission data, report new findings on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus that strengthen the case for potentially habitable conditions beneath its frozen surface. The results, published in a science journal, point to chemistry in the moon's subsurface ocean that could support microbial life. The work is drawing broad attention in the science community.
- 2Spacecraft hunting for life on icy moons swings past Earth●Why a spacecraft exploring moons where life may thrive is zipping by Earth
A spacecraft built to explore icy moons where life could exist is flying close by Earth, using the planet's gravity to adjust its course. The maneuver is part of a long journey toward the outer solar system, where scientists hope to study oceans beneath the moons' surfaces. The flyby has drawn attention as a milestone in the search for conditions suitable for life beyond our planet.
- 3Saturn's moon Enceladus may ease the search for alien life▼Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus may make alien life easier to find than scientists thought
A new report suggests Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon, may make it easier than previously believed for scientists to detect signs of alien life. The moon is known for the plumes of water vapour erupting from its subsurface ocean, which space probes have already sampled. The claim is that biosignatures could be found more readily in that material than researchers assumed.
- 4Icy moons may keep underground oceans even after collisions▼Icy moons may hold on to their underground oceans even after being smashed apart
New research suggests icy moons in the outer solar system, such as those orbiting Jupiter and Saturn, could retain their subsurface liquid oceans even if their outer ice shells are shattered by giant impacts. If impacts like those that formed some of the moon's craters did not destroy interior oceans, this raises the chances that oceans on worlds like Europa and Enceladus are more resilient than thought, keeping interest high in future missions to icy bodies.
- 5Earth microbes survive simulated Enceladus ocean conditions●Earth microbes survive simulated conditions of Saturn moon's ocean
A new study found that Earth microbes can survive conditions simulating the ocean of Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon. Researchers exposed microorganisms to the moon's known conditions, including its salty, alkaline water, and found they persisted. The finding suggests life could plausibly exist in the subsurface ocean beneath Enceladus's ice shell, strengthening the case for future missions to sample plumes that erupt from the moon's south pole.
- 6Cassini Data Reveals Diverse Salt Grains from Enceladus Ocean▼Cassini Reveals Surprising Diversity in Salt Grains from Enceladus’ Ocean
New analysis of Cassini spacecraft data shows a surprising diversity of salt grains in the plumes erupting from Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon. The findings suggest the ocean beneath its surface varies in composition and chemistry, strengthening the case that Enceladus is one of the most promising places to look for conditions suitable for life beyond Earth.