Friday, March 23, 2012

Powering Enceladus' Geysers

A new study establishes a good link between Saturn's gravity and the surface vents that give rise to geysers on Saturn's moon, Enceladus. Researchers show the vents are stressed, strained, and deformed as Enceladus orbits Saturn, with the greatest strain occurring when Enceladus is closest to Saturn.

Further, the fact the Enceladus can be so pulled and deformed implies a large body of liquid water exists within the icy shell that covers the moon. Stress from the constantly changing gravity vectors also heats the moon, which might be what keeps the water inside liquid.

We also know organic compounds are thrown out in the geyser spray. If you put organic compounds in liquid water, add a heat or energy source, and wait long enough, the odds that life will come to be may be reasonably high.

No comments: