Organic material detected at Enceladus
Posted: Sat, Mar 29, 2008, 10:42 AM ET (1442 GMT)
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has detected traces of organic compounds on Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting that the moon's composition more closely resembles that of a comet than expected. Cassini detected the organic materials, including methane, propane, acetylene, and formaldehyde, when it flew very close to the moon on March 12, coming as close as 50 kilometers to the surface and passing through tenuous plumes of material created by geysers. The mix of materials detected by Cassini resembles the primordial compounds found in comets, a finding that took scientists by surprise. The organic materials, water, and heat source that powers the geysers provide all the key ingredients needed for life, although liquid water has yet to be directly detected below the moon's icy surface.
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has detected traces of organic compounds on Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting that the moon's composition more closely resembles that of a comet than expected. Cassini detected the organic materials, including methane, propane, acetylene, and formaldehyde, when it flew very close to the moon on March 12, coming as close as 50 kilometers to the surface and passing through tenuous plumes of material created by geysers. The mix of materials detected by Cassini resembles the primordial compounds found in comets, a finding that took scientists by surprise. The organic materials, water, and heat source that powers the geysers provide all the key ingredients needed for life, although liquid water has yet to be directly detected below the moon's icy surface.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, January 22
Colorado Springs leaders done fighting over Space Command
Colorado Springs Gazette — 5:00 am ET (1000 GMT) Space Force Southern HQ opens at Davis-Monthan
KVOA-TV Tucson — 4:58 am ET (0958 GMT) Space Forces Southern officially activated and will ‘be a force of good in the region’
Washington Examiner — 4:57 am ET (0957 GMT) Rocket Lab Neutron Test Update
Rocket Lab — 4:57 am ET (0957 GMT) Rocket Lab Suffers Neutron Setback
Aviation Week — 4:56 am ET (0956 GMT) |
