Archives - Astronomy: Page 28
Author: Thrty2Mars (Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:29 pm)
Title: Water On Saturn's Moon
Early in March, NASA scientists found evidence that Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, could contain water. The data was received from the Cassini spacecraft, which has been orbiting the planet since 2004. Satellite images from Cassini showed geysers on the surface, consisting of water and ice particles with significant amounts of carbon dioxide and trace amounts of methane. These geysers are believed to come from underground reservoirs under high pressure. NASA believes that the venting has been happening for several thousand years, suggesting a significant heat source within Enceladus. This discovery is of great importance to our search for extra- terrestrial life in our solar system and beyond. Because water is considered a basic necessity for life, this finding could mean life on another body other than Earth. I guess we will have to wait until further expeditions can be carried out. Cassini will make another pass by Enceladus in 2008 and will come within 220 miles. This "closer look" may clarify our assumptions and provide further data for scientists' analyses.
If there is life in our solar system beyond Earth I think we're going about it all wrong. Saying water is a necessary block does not have to be true. Even on earth there are a significant amount of sulfur-ingesting bacteria that do not require water in any way. True, there might not be sulfur-eating zebras on our way into space's depths but I think we need to consider that we're looking for the wrong things.
Though water is not a requirement for all life, it is definitely a strong indicator. Our current search for life outside of our own planet is focused on ANY life. This does not mean zebras, humans, dogs, cats, or any of the like. Extraterrestrial life will most assuredly be found in bacterial form, if at all. What better place to search for bacteria if not in large underground oceans?
I don't disagree that water is a great place to start looking and I certainly agree that bacterial life is probably what we find when we do encounter (which I do believe we will at some point). What I'd like to know is: What percentage of common bacteria is water?
I don't quite understand your question. Do you mean, what percentage of water contains common bateria? That would depend on your source for water. Oceans, river, streams, your Dasani bottle.