From Dexerto · Matthew Benson · · 50s
Scientists find alien life could live on Saturn's moon
New research shows microorganisms could survive on Saturn's moon Enceladus.
In brief
New research shows microorganisms could survive on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Scientists recreated Enceladus' seafloor conditions and found archaea could live there, boosting future missions to study its ocean. Originally reported by Dexerto.
New research on Enceladus
Scientists say a specific form of life may live on Saturn's moon Enceladus, which is 500km across with an icy surface.
Enceladus' ocean conditions
The moon has a salty liquid water ocean beneath its ice, making it a promising place for alien life.
Microorganisms survive
Researchers recreated Enceladus' seafloor conditions and found archaea could adapt to live there.
Lead researcher says
Vanessa Helmbrecht, the study’s lead author, says Enceladus has conditions more favorable for microbial life than previously thought.
“‘Enceladus is considered to be one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life,’ said Vanessa Helmbrecht, the study’s lead author. ‘Our experiments show that its unique geochemistry could create conditions that are even more favourable for microbial life than we had previously thought.’”
Future missions
The European Space Agency plans a 2042 mission to bring back samples from Enceladus' ocean for further study.
Here's the gist
Scientists recreated Enceladus' seafloor conditions and found archaea could live there, boosting future missions to study its ocean.
