Enceladus, Saturn’s sixth-largest moon was discovered by William Herschel, the British astronomer. He found out its existence with the help of 1.2 m long telescope which is known to be the largest telescope in the world. Cassini spacecraft was the first unmanned spacecraft launched towards the Saturn. Cassini found something on Enceladus that surprised the entire team of Cassini spacecraft launch.
The spacecraft discovered the liquid ocean depth inside the surface of the Saturn’s moon. Additionally, it discovered some organic compounds the main constituent which forms the basis of life in the oceanic bodies. Methanol, one of an important component was exposed in a colossal quantity with the help of IRAM radio telescope.
Imperial College in London held an event at the National Astronomy Meeting of the United Kingdom on 4th July, in which research scientist gathered the information of the entire study. These organic compounds are the result of the complicated voyage that the moon underwent during its formation. Dr. Emily Maunder narrated, “The icy heavenly bodies discovered in our solar system have paved a path to the existence of life and the habitability.”
“In our research, methanol finds its way after undergoing various chemical reactions immediately when a cloud is given out into space. It indicates that life does exist on Enceladus”, he further added.
Scientists thought the existence of the greater amount of methanol is all because of cloud gas expelled from Enceladus and surrounded by the magnetic field of the Saturn. The spacecraft sent will pass by closely from the Saturn’s atmosphere without causing the damage to its moon. This could give us the signs of the presence of natural life.
However, scientists say we need to launch more missions in future in order to find the multifaceted mystery that is hidden deep inside the oceanic bodies, Maunder added.