Hands of Justice
The Lounge => The Dog & Duck => Topic started by: Caradir on February 10, 2010, 02:47:38 AM
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Nasa scientists have discovered new evidence that life might exist elsewhere within in our solar system after finding liquid water under the surface of the Saturn moon of Enceladus.
The Cassini spacecraft flew through icy clouds created by ice volcanoes detecting negatively charged water molecules. The presence of the ions indicates that a liquid sea exists beneath the frozen surface of the moon.
This type of short-lived ion is produced on Earth where there is moving water; such as crashing waves, waterfalls or tidal lakes.
High-resolution images taken by the orbiting Cassini spacecraft have show that the surface of Saturn's sixth largest moon has a similar spreading surface to that of Earth.
The moon's similar geology to that of the Earth could mean molten rock activity gives rise to the possibility of warm deep sea vents. These vents would prevent any liquid water from freezing and could sustain different forms of life.
Whilst the existence of liquid water might not be a big surprise to scientists; the detection of short-lived ions and carbon all help point to the possibility of life.
Dr Andrew Coates, from University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory explains: "Where there's water, carbon and energy, some of the major ingredients for life are present.
"The surprise for us was to look at the mass of these ions. There were several peaks in the spectrum, and when we analysed them we saw the effect of water molecules clustering together one after the other."
The only other body in the solar system so far, apart from Earth and Enceladus, where the negatively charged ions have been detected is on Saturn’s other moon of Titan.
Saturn is the new Mars and its all about the negative ions man.
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Still wont send men up - robots all the way. Unless the (chi)commies get their way...