More Evidence, That Enceladus’ Deep Oceans May Be Hospitable — For Biological Life.

The dividends from Cassini (mission end: August 2017) just keep rolling in. [Prior coverage, here.]

Yesterday, a study published in Nature Astronomy -- using legacy Cassini data established the presence of hydrogen cyanide, in a gorm which here on Earth, has long been associated with biological processes. Here's the latest, from the team:

. . .Scientists have known that the giant plume of ice grains and water vapor spewing from Saturn’s moon Enceladus is rich with organic compounds, some of which are important for life as we know it. Now, scientists analyzing data from NASA’s Cassini mission are taking the evidence for habitability a step further: They’ve found strong confirmation of hydrogen cyanide, a molecule that is key to the origin of life.

The researchers also uncovered evidence that the ocean, which is hiding below the moon’s icy outer shell and supplies the plume, holds a powerful source of chemical energy. Unidentified until now, the energy source is in the form of several organic compounds, some of which, on Earth, serve as fuel for organisms.

The findings, published Thursday, Dec. 14, in Nature Astronomy, indicate there may be much more chemical energy inside this tiny moon than previously thought. The more energy available, the more likely that life might proliferate and be sustained. . . .

Now you know. In our lifetimes, we may yet see proof of off-world. . . biology. Of life, not from here. Smile. . . .

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