REAL LIFE

Saturn: there are all the essentials for life!

Scientists' latest research confirms: deep down there is a frozen ocean with phosphorus

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The Cassini-Huygens Mission.
Data collected by the Cassini-Huygens mission, a joint interplanetary mission of Nasa, the European Space Agency (Esa) and the Italian Space Agency (Asi) launched in 1997, have been published in the journal of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and have given us very important information.
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Enceladus, the satellite with life
In particular, studies have focused on Enceladus, Saturn's sixth satellite, which is characterized by an almost totally icy surface. Here, the Cassini probe discovered a water-rich plume in the south polar region. This discovery, along with the presence of internal heat leaks, indicates that Enceladus is currently geologically active.
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A sensational discovery under the ice surface
Enceladus has a large underground ocean, buried under a thick layer of ice, which contains most of the elements essential for the development of life. The only essential element missing was phosphorus. In fact, the following are present: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Instead, the latest discoveries tell us that phosphorus is also present.
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The importance of phosphorus
Phosphorus and its compounds are involved in the basic functions of all known life forms: phosphorus-containing molecules, for example, are part of DNA, Rna and the Atp molecule, which provides energy in metabolic reactions. The Cassini probe found that phosphorus is found in the form of phosphates, in amounts greater than or similar to our oceans.
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What will be the next mission?
The presence of water and the elements essential for organisms increases the chances that life can develop on Enceladus. Therefore, the next mission is this: to send a probe that can search for life on Saturn's satellite.
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