Cassini finds evidence of underground ocean on Enceladus

William Atkins
Tuesday, 15 July 2008 23:51

Science - Space

The spacecraft Cassini earlier discovered geysers in the south polar region of Enceladus.

If the source of these geysers is found to be liquid water underneath Enceladus’ surface, then the geysers could easily transport dissolved sodium (in the form of icy salt crystals) out into space and into the E ring of Saturn.

The geysers are also known to exist underground because of sufficient friction within the interior of Enceladus, which heats up ice and, thus, creates huge geysers that shoot out water-ice and vapor.

Specifically, Cassini has observed a series of 75-mile (120-kilometer) long cracks in the southern polar region of Enceladus. They are nicknamed “tiger stripes”  by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists because of their similar look to the stripes on a tiger.

These stripes were found to be warmer in temperature than their surroundings. Thus, scientists have a hunch that these tiger-stripe cracks are the source of the geysers.

From these observations of Enceladus, the moon of Saturn seems to be a very interesting and promising place to explore and look for extraterrestrial life.

Further studies are needed, however, to confirm this discovery because not everyone agrees with its conclusion. Other studies, performed here on Earth and by spacecraft, have not observed sodium present in the E ring of Saturn.

Lunine states, “one just has to acknowledge that the two observations potentially might be in conflict.” The important thing to remember, according to Lunine, “is whether the sodium in the E-ring particles really came from Enceladus.” [Science News]