Posted on 02/10/2010 12:14:29 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
There's little doubt now that the Saturn moon Enceladus hides a vast, liquid ocean beneath its icy surface.
Massive plumes of water vapor discovered by Cassini in 2005 sparked speculation of sub-surface liquid water within the tiny moon. Later, fly-bys found that the massive geysers - whose jet steams supply the material for Saturn's outer-most ring - contain traces of sodium believed to be the signature of a large body of liquid water with long periods of contact to minerals deep inside Enceladus.
Now, a team of scientists from University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory say data from the intrepid probe's plasma spectrometer has found negatively charged water molecules in the jet spray. On Earth's surface, such ions are present where liquid water is in motion, such as waterfalls or ocean waves.
"While it's no surprise that there is water there, these short-lived ions are extra evidence for sub-surface water," said Andrew Coates of Mullard Space Science Lab in a statement. "And where there's water, carbon and energy, some of the major ingredients for life are present."
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
Now how does that happen?
We need to send a big manned (and computered) ship, named, say, “Discovery”, to go check it out ASAP.
(2001 - the BOOK - reference)
Better make sure the onboard computer isn’t too smart though....
Hyperion harbours building blocks of life, says NASA
These massive geyes will result in the rising of liquid levels in the next 30 years, that will explode Encaledus into Saturn's atmosphere, with incalculable damage to the solar system
Only through cessation of these disastrous man caused, fly-bys, can we prevent a cataclysmic destruction of the entire solar system. Taxes on all space program nations, starting with the US paying 85%, will help ease this pending solar disaster, said Al Gore.
Whoa...what is Gorebull saying now?
Must let others know....
Maybe a water pipe burst below the streets of Enceladus?
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