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- 1Earth microbes survive simulated conditions of Enceladus ocean▼Earth microbes survive simulated conditions of Saturn moon’s ocean
New research indicates that Earth microbes can survive under simulated conditions of the ocean beneath the ice of Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting life there is not out of the question. Scientists see the finding as encouraging for the search for life beyond Earth, since Enceladus's subsurface ocean is considered one of the most promising places to look.
- 2Icy 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.
- 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
Saturn's icy moon Enceladus is back in focus after a report suggested it could make detecting alien life easier than scientists previously assumed. The moon is already considered a promising target because plumes of water vapour and ice erupt from its subsurface ocean, allowing spacecraft to sample material without drilling. The new claim is generating discussion about whether future missions could find biosignatures there more readily than on other ocean worlds.