Liquid water oceans are thought to underlie the ice shells of Europa and Enceladus. However, ocean properties can be challenging to measure due to the overlying ice cover.
Enceladus
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Enceladus, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Between Outer Space And Antarctica: Miniature Robots To Carry Out Research Below The Ice
For years, scientists have assumed that there are oceans of water beneath the ice covers on the moons Enceladus and Europa. Even in outer space, the presence of water can […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Press Release
Astrobiology Review: A Review on Hypothesized Metabolic Pathways on Europa and Enceladus: Space-Flight Detection Considerations
Enceladus and Europa, icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter, respectively, are believed to be habitable with liquid water oceans and therefore are of interest for future life detection missions and […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Investigating The Porosity Of Enceladus
The interior of Enceladus, a medium sized icy moon of Saturn hosts hydrothermal activity and exhibits tidal heating and related geyser-like activity.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Modulation Effect Of Ice Thickness Variations On Convection In Icy Ocean Worlds
It has been long puzzling whether the ice thickness variations observed on Enceladus can be sustained sorely by a polar-amplified bottom heating. The key to this question is to understand […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Enceladus, Science Fiction, SETI & Technosignatures, Societal Issues
Astrobiology.com On BBC Radio London
Editor’s note: On 7 July I appeared live on BBC Radio London with host Jumoké Fashola to talk about Saturn’s moon Enceladus and the possibility that it could host life. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Phosphate, A Key Building Block Of Life, Found On Saturn’s Moon Enceladus
An international team including a University of Washington scientist has found that the water on one of Saturn’s moons harbors phosphates, a key building block of life. The team led […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Effect Of Salinity On Ocean Circulation And Ice-ocean Interaction On Enceladus
Observational data suggest that the ice shell on Enceladus is thicker at the equator than at the pole, indicating an equator-to-pole ice flow.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Cassini Data Reveals Building Block for Life in Enceladus’ Ocean
Using data collected by NASA’s Cassini mission, an international team of scientists has discovered phosphorus – an essential chemical element for life – locked inside salt-rich ice grains ejected into […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
A Past Episode of Rapid Tidal Evolution of Enceladus?
Saturn possesses a dynamically rich system containing numerous moons and impressive rings. Whether the rings of Saturn are much younger than the planet itself has been a long-open question; more […]