The detection of phosphorous in the icy mist from one of Saturn’s moons is a significant scientific breakthrough. This finding becomes even more remarkable when considering that carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur have previously been detected there as well. In fact, these six elements are essential for life, and the moon Enceladus now possesses all of them, as reported by the New York Times. In essence, Enceladus has become a lot more interesting, as stated by Morina Koren in the Atlantic’s article.
According to Frank Postberg of the Free University of Berlin, a co-author of the study published in Nature, the discovery of phosphorous confirms that Enceladus’s ocean is habitable beyond any doubt. Vice also highlights this breakthrough and provides further analysis of the data collected by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft during its 2017 flyby. Although Enceladus’ ocean is concealed beneath its frozen surface, geysers regularly erupt, revealing its secrets. CNN points out that the detection of phosphorous in an ocean outside of Earth is unprecedented.
This finding sets the stage for exploring the potential habitability of other icy ocean worlds in our solar system, as explained by Linda Spilker of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Morgan Cable, another NASA scientist, suggests that any potential life in Enceladus’s ocean might resemble what is found near hydrothermal vents on Earth’s seafloors, such as various microbes, crabs, and tube worms. Postberg concludes that although we are uncertain if this habitable place is currently inhabited, it is definitely worth investigating further. (Read more Saturn stories.)
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