According to researchers, there is evidence of hydrothermal vents in the oceans of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus. Saturn is the solar system’s largest and most massive planet.

What is a hydrothermal vent?

A hydrothermal vent is an opening in the sea floor through which hot water full of minerals flows.

Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus expelled mysterious silica in enormous quantities. Consequently, the silica strongly suggested the presence of heat vents.

In other words, the silica particles were blasted from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, which also release heat into the surrounding seas, according to researchers.

These vents are created when the moon’s core is heated from the inside out. As a result, this causes ocean currents to transport the silica particles.

Key facts!

• Experts believe that it’s a thrilling discovery as it hints at the possibility of finding life deep within an alien ocean on an alien world.
• Yet, it has been something of a mystery as to how the silica travels from the interior of Enceladus, up through the planet’s deep ocean, and then out through the ice in the form of plumes.
• Enceladus is indeed a fascinating world.
• Experts point out that the thickness of the chunky ice layer that covers the icy moon ranges on average between 15 and 20 kilometres.
• However, its orbit around Saturn is elliptical rather than precisely circular.
• Consequently, when the moon’s distance from the planet fluctuates, it suggests that the gravitational pull between them does as well.
• Thus, the fluctuating gravity causes Enceladus to both stretch and compress, which leads to heating in the interior of the moon.
• Most importantly this indicates that behind the icy shell is a worldwide ocean that is liquid to a depth of more than ten kilometres.
• Further, the heat that radiates from the core prevents the water from freezing.
• A rising amount of data also implies that there are hydrothermal vents on Enceladus.
• And if there is life there, then researchers might be able to detect it without having to attempt to break the ice.

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Watch a video

Well, NASA is spilling all the juicy details about the moon Enceladus!

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