Potential for Alien Life Found on Saturn Moon Enceladus
Enceladus' plumes may hold evidence of microbial life. (source: NASA)
A new potential source of alien life has been discovered in our solar system, beneath the icy surface of Enceladus, Saturn’s sixth-largest moon. The moon harbors a vast subsurface ocean that erupts through dozens of geysers across the body’s surface. These plumes were detected by the Cassini-Huygens space probe during its 2004-2017 orbit that circled Saturn and its surrounding satellites. A recently published paper that examined Cassini’s Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer findings found a diverse chemical composition in Enceladus’ plumes, including compounds that are a prerequisite for the formation of life. Below Enceladus’ icy surface, there very well could be microbial communities of minuscule aliens.
The Cassini–Huygens mission was launched in 1997, arriving at Saturn in 2004, and set about investigating the planet, its rings, and its 146 moons. As part of its mission, the probe deployed the Huygens lander to Titan, the first and only probe to land on a body in the outer solar system. For 13 years, the Cassini probe studied the Saturn system before it exhausted its fuel supply and the probe was flown into the gas giant for destruction. Even six years later, we are still learning new information from Cassini’s data, including the possibility of life on Enceladus.
Thermal imaging of Enceladus' plumes. (source: ESA)
Enceladus’ eruptions are composed mostly of H2O gas and ice that either falls back to the surface or accumulates into Saturn’s rings along with carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen. This new research has identified additional compounds by comparing the INMS data to other known mass spectra, identifying hydrogen cyanide, acetylene, propylene, and an unidentified alcohol. Methane and hydrogen suggest the presence of hydrothermal activity which could support microbial life. Hydrogen cyanide has been suggested as a precursor for amino acids, which in turn constitute proteins that comprise proteins.
Geothermal activity on the ocean surface could harbor microbial communities, drawing their energy source from acetylene, propylene, and the other newly discovered compounds. If so, alien life may be living on Enceladus, but the moon is not the only potential source for such life. The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer probe, which will arrive in orbit around the gas giant in 2031, is set to investigate Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa’s own subsurface oceans for signs of life. Other contenders include the dwarf planet Ceres and Neptune’s moon Triton. The race is on to discover which of these bodies is the genuine article and harbors alien (albeit microscopic) life.
Featured Product
Martian Meteorite Pendant
Latest News
-
Apr 27, 2025 Lyndon Johnson: Architect of the U.S. Space Program Read More -
Apr 23, 2025 Can I Lick It? Yes You Can! Read More -
Apr 18, 2025 Scientists Film a Colossal Squid in its Natural Habitat! Read More -
Apr 16, 2025 Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite: How to Start Your Outer Space Collection! Read More -
Apr 16, 2025 Is It Legal To Own a Dinosaur Fossil? How to start your Dinosaur Collection! Read More -
Apr 16, 2025 Archaeologists Discover Tomb of an Unknown Pharaoh! Read More
Cool Things!
Lyndon Johnson: Architect of the U.S. Space Program
The Space Race is an era etched in the mythos of the United States. The starting gun, fired October 4th, 1957, as the Soviet Union launched the first-ever artificial satellite into space, was quickly answered by President John F. Kennedy a month later. In a special session of Congress, he set forth the goal of landing a man on the moon before the decade was out. If Kennedy was Jason on this voyage to the stars, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was his Argus, constructing the means of transport long before this challenge was issued and long before his superior’s assassination tumbled the nation into darkness.
Scientists Film a Colossal Squid in its Natural Habitat!
One hundred years after its discovery, scientists have captured the elusive colossal squid on film in its natural habitat. The juvenile squid was found around 2,000 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean near the South Sandwich Islands. Measuring about one foot long, it drifts through the sea with translucent skin, pearly eyes and colorful tentacles.
Archaeologists Discover Tomb of an Unknown Pharaoh!
Specimen Deep Dives
Returning to the Moon: The Apollo 14 Mission
The Secrets of the Space Shuttle: Learn about Mini Museum's Shuttle Tile Material!
Gondwana: When the Earth Was One
Long Form Articles
Can I Lick It? Yes You Can!
Have you ever been unable to tell if a fossil was really a fossil, but you were too embarrassed to admit it? Have you ever wanted to lick a fossil just because, but you didn’t want to risk judgment from your peers? Well, good news! You can kill two birds with one stone! Licking a fossil can actually help you determine if it’s the real deal or just another rock.
Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite: How to Start Your Outer Space Collection!
Meteorites are some of the rarest geological specimens to be found on Earth. Of course, since these stones are not of our world, purchasing them can sometimes be a confusing process. Is it legal to own a meteorite? In short, yes! Read on for help starting your cosmic collection!
Is It Legal To Own a Dinosaur Fossil? How to start your Dinosaur Collection!
So you want to start fossil collecting!? Amateur paleontology is a fascinating and fun hobby that can even nab you an award! Dinosaur bones are some of the most sought-after specimens in the world, so you may be wondering, is it even legal to own a dinosaur bone? In short, yes! Read on for more help starting your fossil collection!