NASA has revealed evidence that extraterrestrial life exists in the Solar System

The story of finding an alien of humanity has never been out of heat. Over time, humans have targeted many candidates capable of sustaining life. In particular, there are locations within the solar system, including Mars, Europa - the moon of Jupiter, and Enceladus - the moon of Saturn.

The most special of these 3 candidates is Enceladus. Science has confirmed that under the icy surface of Enceladus is a huge ocean, sometimes more water than the Earth. Through holes in the surface, Enceladus emits terribly high water columns, shooting straight into the universe.

Saturn's moon Enceladus.

In other words, on Enceladus there is liquid water - one of the important conditions for sustaining life. And recently, NASA scientists have revealed another evidence that this satellite is capable of survival there.

Specifically, new data from NASA shows the presence of organic compounds in the water column that Enceladus fired into space. They contain nitrogen (nitrogen) and oxygen - important components to create amino acids as the basis for building protein blocks. For those who don't know, without protein, life on Earth today would not exist.

In fact, science has long suspected that the ocean beneath the surface of Enceladus might harbor life. They have confirmed that the organic molecules come from this satellite, but this is the first time to trace traces that they are soluble in water.

This is an extremely important finding, as this demonstrates that deep beneath the ocean there are chemical reactions to produce amino acids.

"Research shows that the ocean on Enceladus has amino acid base components, and it provides a glimmer of hope for finding the satellite's viability" - Frank Postberg, co-author of the study said.

Possibility of hydrothermal tubes, where life is created

As mentioned above, on Enceladus there are fissures that release giant pillars of water that shoot straight into the universe . These crevices have higher temperatures than the rest of the satellite.

NASA said they analyzed the data of these water columns, finding some new organic compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen. They dissolve in water, then evaporate with water, condense and freeze on the surface. These pillars of water were blown into space, and were collected by NASA's Cassini probe as it passed by.

An illustration of Enceladus hydrothermal tubes.

These compounds are another sign that Enceladus is going through a life-building phase similar to that on Earth.

In our planet, deep in the ocean, sea water mixed with hot magma creates bubbles on the sea floor - the hydrothermal holes, which can bring temperatures up to 370 degrees C.

These hydrothermal tubes emit very hot hydrogen-rich water, triggering reactions that change organic compounds into amino acids. The amino acids then attach to each other - just like when playing LEGO - to create protein, the most important ingredient for building life.

Life here will exist in the dark.

This process was created without the sun's assistance. This is a very important feature, because the ice surface of Enceladus is highly reflective, making the little amount of light the satellite receives back to the universe. In other words, life on this satellite, if any, will grow in the dark.

"If conditions are right, the molecules of the ocean on Enceladus will have the same reaction as on Earth," - Nozair Khawaja, the research leader said. "We still don't know whether amino acids are really needed to create extraterrestrial life, but this finding is an important piece of the puzzle."

In 2018, Khawaja's team found similar organic molecules this time, but they were insoluble in water. The hypothesis is that they evaporate and freeze on the surface of the satellite.

In order to have reactions at hydrothermal tubes, organic compounds need to be dissolved in water, thereby creating life. And only now will science be convinced that the organic compound on Enceladus does it.

The research is published in the monthly scientific journal of the Royal Astronomical Society.

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