Methane found on Saturn's moon Enceladus, the source of which may well be living organisms

So researchers from the University of Arizona, together with representatives of the University of Paris Science et Lettres found an unusual source of methane, which is likely hidden under the ice sheet of Enceladus, one of the satellites Saturn.

As scientists assume, living organisms may well be the source of methane.

How methane and variants of its origin were discovered

The Cassini space probe, passing through the huge ice shelf, falling from the surface of the satellite, analyzed the samples and recorded an increased content of certain molecules, which are quite consistent with the hydrothermal activity occurring at the bottom of the earth oceans.

So digridogen, methane, and carbon dioxide were recorded. And the analysis of the concentration of methane showed such a high concentration that, quite possibly, it can be an indirect sign of the vital activity of organisms.

So the engineers built various mathematical models, with the help of which the calculations of the probabilities of various processes, including biological methanogenesis, which in one way or another would explain the abnormally high content of methane on satellite.

So, after analyzing all the modulations, scientists came to the conclusion that the observed concentration of methane can be as a result of activities of living organisms, and the fruit of chemical reactions that are impossible or have never been observed in the Earth conditions.

After the scientists conducted a thorough analysis of the data and calculated that the observed amount of dihydrogen may well indicate the existence of a population of microorganisms similar to those on Earth.

An analysis of the temperature regime and a set of chemical conditions showed that the hypothesis according to which methane formed exclusively due to non-biological processes, is unable to explain such a high concentration. And this means that the version of the existence of life (albeit in its primitive manifestation) on Enceladus cannot be completely ruled out.

Of course, one should also not discount the fact that methane on the satellite could have been formed in such a large amount in the course of completely natural non-biological processes.

So, if the assumption is confirmed that the satellite was formed as a result of accretion enriched with organic materials, from of which comets are composed, it will be possible to assume that methane is released in such large quantities during natural chemical processes.

Well, only further more thorough studies of this space object will help to refute or confirm the hypothesis of the existence of life on Enceladus. In the meantime, scientists (in principle, like us) can only guess and build theoretical assumptions.

If you liked the material, then rate it and do not forget to subscribe to the channel. Thank you for your attention!