New evidence of extraterrestrial life was discovered on this planet!

A team led by scientists from the Southwest Research Institute in the United States used data provided by NASA's Cassini probe to detect phosphorus, a key component of life, in the ocean of Enceladus. The phosphorus exists in the form of phosphate. The relevant research paper was published in the journal Nature on the 14th.

Phosphorus, a key element of life, was found on Enceladus. Image credit: Cassini imaging team/Southwest Research Institute, etc.

The research team used geochemical modeling in 2020 to predict that Enceladus' ocean should be rich in phosphorus. Now they have confirmed their prediction with samples of plumes of ice ejected from Enceladus' subsurface ocean.

Cassini has been exploring Saturn, its rings and its satellite system for more than 13 years. Analysis of a class of salt-rich ice grains by the Cosmic Dust Analyser on the probe revealed the presence of sodium phosphates. The team's observations and simulations in the laboratory show that phosphorus is readily present in the form of phosphates in the ocean of Enceladus.

Phosphorus in the form of phosphate is essential to all life on Earth. It is vital for the creation of DNA and RNA, energy-carrying molecules, cell membranes, bones and teeth in humans and animals, and even the microbiome of marine plankton . Life as we know it would not be possible without phosphate.

The researchers found that the concentration of phosphates in Enceladus' water is at least 100 times that of Earth's oceans. Geochemical experiments and modeling suggest that such high phosphate concentrations are due to the enhanced solubility of phosphate minerals in Enceladus and other possible icy ocean bodies.

The research team pointed out that finding evidence of phosphate on Enceladus is exciting and is an important step for scientists in the search for life outside Earth.

Source: Science and Technology Daily

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