Researchers have revealed that the Cassini spacecraft, which has already completed its mission, made an amazing discovery! In the material emerging from the geysers on the surface of the satellite, the probe spectrometer detected complex carbon compounds that can be a source of food for the bacteria. This would confirm the existence of an ocean beneath the surface of Enceladus, in which life could flourish.

Enceladus: Possible Hydrothermal Activity (Artist's Concept)

By: NASA/JPL-Caltech link [Public domain]

Recently, this is the second discovery of finding organic particles outside the Earth. In early June, the Martian Curiosity rover discovered such particles in the samples of the local rocks. The Cassini spacecraft has completed its nearly 20 year mission, burning in the atmosphere of Saturn in September 2017. Examining Enceladus, the probe managed to fly near the material emerging from one of the geysers on the surface of the moon. The ejected ice particles form the Saturn ring with the symbol E. It was probably created thanks to Enceladus geysers. The findings were made on the basis of data from a cosmic dust meter and a mass spectrometer. The organic molecules detected by the sensors are about 200 times heavier than the hydrogen atom. Already in 2015, the probe managed to detect the molecular hydrogen emanating from the geysers of the moon. This was evidence of the existence of an underground ocean on Enceladus.

The ice surface of Enceladus

By: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute link [Public domain]

This discovery is the next step towards discovering the secrets of this interesting moon of Saturn. It becomes the basis for planning future missions, which would examine the exact chemical composition of the matter of the geysers of this satellite. Let's hope that such a mission will arise. Earlier, we will follow the fate of the Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer mission, which in 2022 will set off towards Jupiter and its moons. There are many secrets to explore in our Solar System itself. Thank you for reading and supporting my articles.

Greetings to lovers of Astronomy!

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