First evidence of significant heat flow at Enceladus’ north pole, finding confirms that the icy moon is emitting far more heat than would be expected if it were simply a passive body, strengthening the case that it could support life
Saturn’s icy moon may host a stable ocean fit for life, study finds
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It certainly strengthens the evidence for a significant heat source within the moon. There is no case for life on or in this moon. It would be great if there were evidence for life, but this is just kite-flying at this stage and the headline is just cheap baiting for clicks.
> According to the researchers, the next key step will be to determine whether Enceladus’ ocean has existed long enough for life to develop. At the moment, its age is still uncertain.
Even if the ocean is extremely young, there would still be good reason to study the moon. We could learn more about what the chemistry would look like in a young ocean of these icy moons. Europa’s ocean is over 4 billion years old. Enceladus gives us the other extreme.