Discovering Life's Essential Building Blocks: Molecules and Energy Sources Found in Saturn Moon's Oceanic World
Enceladus, Saturn's moon, continues to astound astronomers as they uncover further evidence supporting the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life Recent findings reveal the presence of crucial molecules and energy sources necessary for the development of life
Subscribe to CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter for the latest news on discoveries, advancements, and more about the universe. Enceladus, Saturn's moon with an ocean beneath its icy shell, has long been a prime candidate for scientists searching for extraterrestrial life.
A recent analysis of data gathered by NASAs Cassini mission, which circled Saturn and its moons from 2004 to 2017, has revealed compelling evidence that strengthens the notion of Enceladus as a potentially habitable ocean world.
In 2005, Enceladus drew the interest of scientists due to the observation of icy grains and water vapor plumes emerging through fissures in the moon's icy surface and venting into space. The spacecraft passed through the plumes and "sampled" them, with the data indicating the presence of organic compounds within the plumes, some of which are crucial for life.
The most recent analysis of Cassini's flybys of Enceladus has uncovered the presence of a molecule known as hydrogen cyanide, which is harmful to humans but essential to the processes that drive the development of life. Additionally, the team has also discovered evidence supporting the idea that Enceladus' ocean contains organic compounds that serve as a source of chemical energy, potentially serving as a powerful fuel for any potential form of life.
On July 14, 2005, Cassini captured detailed images of the enigmatic ice world Enceladus as it flew by the moon's south pole. From a distance, Enceladus displays a strange combination of smoothed craters and intricate, broken landscapes.
Key building block of life found on ocean world orbiting Saturn
A study detailing the findings was published Thursday in the journal Nature Astronomy.
Lead study author Jonah Peter, a doctoral student of biophysics at Harvard University, stated, "Our research offers additional proof that Enceladus contains essential molecules necessary for the creation and sustenance of life through metabolic reactions. Not only does Enceladus appear to meet the basic conditions for habitability, but we have also gained insight into the formation of complex biomolecules and the chemical pathways involved."
The essential components required for life as we understand it on Earth consist of water, energy, and chemical elements. The recent research offers scientists with chemical plans that can be experimented in laboratories, according to Peter. This discovery provides insight into the building blocks of life.
Amino acids are essential building blocks of life, and researchers believe that hydrogen cyanide plays a crucial role in facilitating their formation. According to the study authors, the discovery of hydrogen cyanide was particularly thrilling, as it is considered to be the starting point for many theories on the origin of life. Peter stated, "The more we tested alternative models, the more evidence we found supporting the role of hydrogen cyanide. It became evident that its inclusion is essential to match the composition of the plume."
Earlier, carbon dioxide, methane, molecular hydrogen, water, and ammonia were found in the plumes of Enceladus, indicating the composition of the ocean below the icy shell that produces the plumes.
The presence of these elements together implies that a process known as methanogenesis, or the biological production of methane, could be occurring on Enceladus. Researchers believe that methanogenesis may have also occurred on early Earth, potentially contributing to the development of life.
New research suggests that there are more diverse and potent chemical energy sources within Enceladus's ocean. Alongside hydrogen cyanide, the analysis found organic compounds such as acetylene, propylene, and ethane, as well as traces of methanol, molecular oxygen, indicating that there may be multiple ways to sustain life within the ocean world.
According to study coauthor Kevin Hand, deputy project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, the findings imply that the ocean of Enceladus could potentially provide a substantial amount of energy to support any life that might exist there, unlike the limited energy capacity seen in methanogenesis.
The Southern pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus is depicted in this striking image captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, showcasing a spectacular water vapor plume extending a remarkable 20 times the size of the moon. Inset within the image is a contrasting view from the Cassini orbiter, illustrating the relatively tiny appearance of Enceladus when compared to the impressive water plume captured by the Webb telescope.
Credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/G. Villanueva/A. Pagan
NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/G. Villanueva/A. Pagan
Researchers aim to further explore the level of dilution of organic compounds within Enceladus' subsurface ocean, as this could ultimately impact the moon's potential to sustain life.
Astronomers are optimistic about the possibility of conducting a specialized mission to explore Enceladus, which may finally determine whether life exists in the oceanic environment. Despite the conclusion of the Cassini mission six years ago, its data remains a valuable source of fresh insights.
Study coauthor Tom Nordheim, a planetary scientist at JPL who worked on the Cassini mission, stated, "The missions' observations are constantly giving us new insights into Saturn and its moons, including the enigmatic Enceladus."
