Traces of methane found on Saturn's moon: these are possible signs of life

The Cassini-Huygens probe has detected salty plumes erupting from the surface of Saturn's moon, Enceladus.

As you know, methane is considered one of the main signs of the existence of life on other planets.It is produced in large quantities by bacteria, this gas is known as a by-productThat is why scientists have suggested that there may be life on Enceladus.

In addition, most of Enceladus is covered by a vast ocean that is hidden under a thick layer of ice.  Scientists suggest that in the bottom areas of this ocean,However, the cause of the gas may be the cause of the gas. to be different.

For example, it can be formed by the chemical decomposition of primary organic matter, which canpresent in the core of Enceladus and which can be partially converted into dihydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide as a result of the hydrothermal process. 

Artistic rendering that depictspossible hydrothermal activity that could occur on the ocean floor below and below the lunar surface, based on the results of NASA's Cassini mission. NASA / JPL-Caltech

Scientists performed mathematical calculations to understand whether bacteria like Earth's methanogens could produce enough methane to create plumes seen from the satellite.After quantitative research methods, scientists came to the conclusion that the vital activity of bacteria is not enough for this.The researchers speculate that either the methane came from geochemical processes, or that the bacteria on Enceladus are not known to science, and "alternative abiotic mechanisms" are possible on  Saturn's moon.

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