Water in space

Category: Water

The satellite of Saturn was discovered water. Scientists believe that in this environment could be life

U.S. scientists said they have found another planet where life can be. Station "Cassini", which is already two years studying Saturn's moon Enceladus, discovered the planet's surface features of water. "But until then, until we find ourselves there, we must not speak with certainty" - note the researchers. Enceladus is the third planet of the solar system, where possible, finding life.

Unlike their American counterparts, seeking an answer to a question, one we are in the universe or not, Russia's scientists took up the Moon. The main goal of Russia's space program would be mining the moon for helium-3.

Living Water

"The fact that we are not alone in the universe, and declared in 2002 - this time found life on Venus" Enceladus is the most pure of the satellites in the solar system. It was opened by William Herschel in 1789. Enceladus' orbit lies between the smaller Mimas and the larger Tefiey. Scientists note that the surface of Enceladus is covered with a uniform layer of water ice, which has no impurities. This gives the satellite a pure white color. On the surface of Enceladus found several grooves and small craters.

According to RIA Novosti, according to scientists, an unexpected discovery indicates that under the cover of ice are reservoirs of liquid water that reaches the surface with geyser. Water temperature in the reservoir is relatively warm - about zero Celsius, moreover, that on the surface of Enceladus temperature minus 188-193 degrees. When leaving the surface water naturally freezes. This time out of water on the surface - pillar of steam and ice cubes - and managed to photograph the spacecraft.

However, scientists still find it difficult to say that can heat up the water. This should show further study. Nevertheless, discovery gave researchers a lot of optimism. "We have found the environment in which living organisms could have arisen, in an unexpected place in our solar system. But until then, until we find ourselves there, we must not speak with certainty, "- said Caroline Porco, a representative of the Institute for Space Studies in Boulder (Colorado).

In turn, specialist Torrens NASA Johnson noted that "if you can find more places like this (with the signs of the presence of water) and there are the necessary sources of energy, quite possibly, the so-called icy satellites of other stars or planets would be most suitable conditions for life . "This could turn the opinion of scientists on such things", - added Johnson.

Space probe "Cassini" For two years traveling around Saturn, passing to the earth the most valuable data, and continues to make scientific discoveries. Among them, photo-and videosnimki, as well as recording "signal" of Saturn whose surface is a powerful source of radio emission. The end of 2006 interplanetary probe Cassini has yet to explore the largest satellites of Saturn - Titan and Rhea, and continue to explore Enceladus.