All articles tagged with #saturns moon enceladus
Prof Michele Dougherty, a planetary scientist and space physicist known for her work on Saturn's moon Enceladus and NASA's Cassini mission, has been appointed the first female UK astronomer royal, highlighting her contributions to space exploration and her role in inspiring future generations in science.
Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Cassini mission have discovered hydrogen cyanide, a molecule that could be a precursor for life, in the plumes of vapor emanating from Saturn's moon Enceladus. Hydrogen cyanide is believed to have played a crucial role in the early origin of life on Earth. The presence of this molecule, along with other organic molecules, suggests that Enceladus's ocean might be releasing more energy than previously thought, making it a potential habitat for life. This finding strengthens the case for the existence of extraterrestrial life and highlights the importance of studying neighboring worlds to understand the origins of life on Earth.
Scientists have discovered that amino acids within ice grains from Saturn's moon Enceladus can survive impact speeds of up to 9,400 mph, making it possible to collect undamaged ice grains that may contain organic molecules and signs of life. The findings have implications for future missions to other water-bearing moons, such as Jupiter's Europa, where similar amino acids may exist.