Researchers propose an unusual experiment that a microbial life would introduce in Enceladus, one of the moons of Saturn. And at the same time, scientists explain why it might not be possible.
Potentially having worlds in the solar system are Jupiter’s Moon Europe and Saturn’s Moon Enceladus. It is thought that they have huge oceans of liquid water under their icy surfaces. Regarding Enceladus, scientists already know that this ocean contains elements that are essential for life. That is why micro -organisms may live there.
But what if further exploration of Enceladus with a dedicated spacecraft reveals that its underground ocean is lifeless? In that case, the authors of the study propose to steer the microbial life of the earth there specifically to understand how living organisms spread in a lifeless but habitable world. This can tell us how the first living organisms that came on the ocean floors of the earth spread over our planet.
Such an experiment can also offer important information about how people can populate other worlds, and a habitable Enceladus can become a source of material for exploring the outer solar system.
Scientists say that existing technology can bring life to Enceladus, where the circumstances exist to thrive.
Why should we not carry out an experiment about Enceladus? At the same time, scientists to believe That this experiment can be confronted with deep ethical questions. If extraterrestrial life is discovered on Enceladus, it will be a revolution and people will try to keep it.
But if there is no life, do people have the right to perform an experiment to populate another world with living microorganisms? Do people have the right to change the entire biosphere of another world for a certain period or forever? These questions will have to be discussed, the authors of the study say.
Enceladus: why is it a potentially habitable world?
The surface of Enceladus is covered with pure water ice, which means that the satellite of Saturn is very clear, because it has enormous reflectivity: it reflects 99% of the sunlight.
The thick icy crust from Enceladus hides an ocean of liquid water that is believed to cover the entire moon.
Powerful rays of water vapor and ice particles constantly shoot out of cracks on Enceladus and throw hundreds of kilometers into the room. Many organic molecules have been found in these jets, indicating that this world can be habitable.
It is believed that the energy needed to maintain a liquid ocean and geological activity on Enceladus is provided by the gravity interaction of Enceladus with Saturn and other satellites of the planet.
The average temperature on the Enceladus surface is around 200 degrees Celsius. And at depth in the ocean it is assumed that the temperature is between zero and plus plus one degree Celsius.
Temperatures on the bottom of the ocean, where hydrothermal ventilation openings are located,, according to scientists, reach between Plus 90 and Plus 370 degrees Celsius. It is these hydrothermal ventilation openings that probably offer the energy and chemicals that are needed to support potential life.
The study was published In the magazine Space Policy.
