Scientists working with data from Cassini have discovered potential building blocks of life on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus. Heavy organic compounds such as water, salt and silica are being ejected from perpetual fountains on this small moon making up hundreds of atoms arranged in rings and chains. These are the most complex organic molecules uncovered so far at Enceladus. They may make the moon the most promising place in our solar system to search for life beyond Earth.
What does this discovery mean for the future of space exploration? Could this really be a sign pointing toward alien life?
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Nadia Drake, National Geographic space expert, is available for commentary out of Charlottesville, VA.
Victoria Jaggard, National Geographic science and space expert, is available out of Washington, D.C.
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