NASA Makes Announcement
One of Saturn's moons shooting out massive jets of cold water!
March 10, 2006
Earth has been the only place known with running water until now. Scientists announced a startling discovery on Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons. Scientists say that moon is shooting out massive jets of cold water, from the moon's South Pole.
It's Enceladus's cold-water version of Old Faithful. Saturn's moon Enceladus is roughly a 300-mile wide planet, about the size of Great Britain.
Oceanographer Dr. George Maul told us, "That would suggest there's some heating from below, much like you see the plumes coming out of Old Faithful."
NASA's possible discovery of cold running water on another body in the solar system is a huge find for the agency. Because scientists say where there is water, there is always the possibility of life.
"We've always associated liquid water with life," Maul said.
Dr. Maul says the oceanography community is excited to add to what NASA scientists are finding.
Dr. Maul has learned after more than four decades studying Earth's water that in all different water conditions, life can be found on Earth. Now that search will extend to Saturn's moon.
"It's above zero, above freezing, and whenever you find above freezing water temperatures on earth, you find life someplace in that. So one would expect, and perhaps hope to find that there is something in these other planets," Maul said.
However, there is no evidence of life in this possible cold-water find. It's impossible for anyone to tell if life will be found at all.
SOURCE: Central Florida News 13