New Life-Giving Molecules Found in 17-Year-Old Data From Saturn’s Moon Enceladus

Researchers have discovered new organic compounds in data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft's 2005 flyby of Saturn's moon Enceladus. These molecules, which include compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, are considered "life-giving" as they are essential building blocks for life. The discovery, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, suggests that Enceladus, with its subsurface ocean, may have the necessary ingredients to support life. The organic compounds were detected in plumes of material erupting from the moon's surface, indicating that the ocean below contains a diverse array of organic compounds. This new data adds to the growing evidence that Enceladus is a promising target for future exploration, as it could potentially host microbial life. The findings reinforce the need for further investigation of this icy moon, which has become a high-priority destination for astrobiologists seeking to understand the potential for life beyond Earth.