Boffins spy liquid water on Saturn's moon - hides a vast, liquid ocean beneath its icy surface.

The Register ^ | 10th February 2010 08:02 GMT | Austin Modine in San Francisco

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

There's little doubt now that the Saturn moon Enceladus hides a vast, liquid ocean beneath its icy surface.

Massive plumes of water vapor discovered by Cassini in 2005 sparked speculation of sub-surface liquid water within the tiny moon. Later, fly-bys found that the massive geysers - whose jet steams supply the material for Saturn's outer-most ring - contain traces of sodium — believed to be the signature of a large body of liquid water with long periods of contact to minerals deep inside Enceladus.

Now, a team of scientists from University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory say data from the intrepid probe's plasma spectrometer has found negatively charged water molecules in the jet spray. On Earth's surface, such ions are present where liquid water is in motion, such as waterfalls or ocean waves.

"While it's no surprise that there is water there, these short-lived ions are extra evidence for sub-surface water," said Andrew Coates of Mullard Space Science Lab in a statement. "And where there's water, carbon and energy, some of the major ingredients for life are present."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now how does that happen?

[Yossarian]

We need to send a big manned (and computered) ship, named, say, “Discovery”, to go check it out ASAP.

(2001 - the BOOK - reference)

[Brett66]

Better make sure the onboard computer isn’t too smart though....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another strang Saturn moon:

Hyperion harbours building blocks of life, says NASA

[BOBTHENAILER]

Massive plumes of water vapor discovered by Cassini in 2005 sparked speculation of sub-surface liquid water within the tiny moon. Later, fly-bys have polluted the pristine waters of Suturn's moons beyond redemption. We will soon be witnessing climate change of a dramatic nature on Encaledus.

These massive geyes will result in the rising of liquid levels in the next 30 years, that will explode Encaledus into Saturn's atmosphere, with incalculable damage to the solar system

Only through cessation of these disastrous man caused, fly-bys, can we prevent a cataclysmic destruction of the entire solar system. Taxes on all space program nations, starting with the US paying 85%, will help ease this pending solar disaster, said Al Gore.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Whoa...what is Gorebull saying now?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Must let others know....

[BOBTHENAILER]

written in a hurry---forgive the spelling errors, gotta rush off, massive snow melt in Denver causing flooding on a biblical scale------

[Marine_Uncle]

"Whoa...what is Gorebull saying now?"
He is not saying much of lately. Perhaps he is hiding on some warm south pacific atoll.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Now how does that happen?"
It must be global warming at work. Gore should be packed into a space ship and sent on a hundred year mission to investigate the details.

[GreenHornet]

Now how does that happen?

Maybe a water pipe burst below the streets of Enceladus?