Signs of water on Saturn satellite

Scientists have found new evidence that a Saturn satellite has an ocean or saltwater lake beneath its frozen surface.

Steam and ice crystals form giant cloud pillars on Enceladus' surface.Photo: NASA.

The US Cassini probe detected steam and ice crystals escaping from Enceladus, Saturn's sixth largest satellite. They form gigantic cloud pillars of several hundred kilometers in height. Cassini took samples for analysis.

After analysis, scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Nuclear Physics (Germany) found ice particles containing sodium salt. This suggests that they originated in saltwater or sea lakes. "We also found that the water above is alkaline. This is an ideal condition for complex life forms to grow," said Dr. Frank Postberg of the Max Planck Institute.

Postberg argues that the water below the surface of Enceladus's satellite does not freeze because it receives heat from the core of this object.

Image of the surface of Enceladus satellite taken by Cassini in 2007. Photo: NASA.

In 2005 Cassini discovered ice crystals escaping at the southern tip of Enceladus. Since then scientists have begun arguing about whether this body has water. Saturn's sixth largest satellite is made up of rocks and ice. It has a diameter of nearly 500 km.

Until now, most astronomers still claim that the earth is the only celestial body that has life in the solar system. They argue that other planets cannot have life because they are too hot, too cold or without the atmosphere suitable for the existence of life forms.

However, in recent years, explorers have found many signs of the existence of water on many Saturn and Jupiter moons. Enceladus is just one of three satellites that emit water vapor and ice crystals in the solar system.