Scientists using Cassini spacecraft data have determined that the heat source powering the geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus is several times stronger than they had thought. In fact, they now calculate the geothermal heat powering Enceladus' geysers is about 2.6 times the source powering all the geysers in Yellowstone National Park.
The presence of so much heat in the interior of the moon strengthens the case for a huge liquid water ocean within the ice shell that makes up the surface. The case for life is also strengthened. If Enceladus has a huge amount of liquid water, organic compounds, and a significant internal energy source, life may require only time and a relatively stable environment to emerge and endure.
Scientists, however, aren't sure where the heat comes from. The postulate it may be a product of gravitational tidal interactions among Saturn, Enceladus, and another Saturnian moon, Dione. That interaction may change over time, and we may be seeing a high point. Whether the ocean would reduce in size at a low point may be another question.
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