For some time, scientists thought that Saturn Moon, Enceladus is full of CO2 inside the icy surface. Now the Southwest Research Institute is working on a geochemical model for the Carbon Dioxide stocked inside Enceladus.
The Saturn’s moon is releasing a plume of gases and sea spray through the many cracks on the surface. This reaction led the scientists to think that Enceladus’ interior is fascinating and complex than they thought before.
What the scientists are trying to understand and find out is the composition of the plume emanating from the cracks. If they found out the structure, they have a chance of discovering why the ocean is from Enceladus the way it is.
How it turned to be in that way, and, finally, if the environment could sustain life. What they did next was to create a method of analyzing the CO2 from the ocean and give some estimations.
New Details on the Saturn’s moon Enceladus revealed
Moreover, NASA was analyzing the CO2 from Enceladus as well with the help of the Cassini spacecraft. The space agency is saying that all that carbon dioxide is produced by the geochemical reactions from the rocky core and the liquid water.
However, the center also contains silica and molecular hydrogen, so things are not that simple as they seem. Scientists are also trying a similar process from Enceladus on Earth, for example, to sequestrate massive carbon dioxide.
Enceladus has the hydrothermal vents inside, which are found on Earth as well, and they help lives to thrive. If the composite core alongside with the seawater can have this dynamic process, then maybe life could prosper there.
Unfortunately, scientists don’t have yet evidence of microbial life. However, they are hoping that the chemical environment could offer the right conditions for a life under the icy crust of Enceladus.
