Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 19, 2008 2:14:54 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Hidden Ocean Found on Saturn Moon

Posted Mar 21, 08 4:13 AM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – NASA has unlocked two more of the solar system's secrets, the Orlando Sentinel reports. The Cassini orbiter discovered evidence of an underground ocean churning deep below the surface of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and the Mars Odyssey spacecraft has found ancient salt deposits on the red planet. Both discoveries have scientists excited about fresh possibilities of finding extraterrestrial life.

The salt deposits on Mars, possibly formed by groundwater, could preserve evidence of Martian life from billions of years ago. But it is Titan that most intrigues astronomers: if the predictions about an underground ocean are right, the moon—which resembles Earth in its early days—would have the building blocks for life. "We've got to go back again with balloons and rovers and really understand this place, a scientist said.

Sources Orlando Sentinel, BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 'You Might Be Able to Grow Asparagus' on Mars

    Jun 26, 08 4:47 PM CDT
    'You Might Be Able to Grow Asparagus' on Mars Samples of Martian soil analyzed by instruments onboard the Phoenix lander have earth-bound scientists “flabbergasted.” Why? Readings indicate that the extraterrestrial loam could, perhaps has, and possibly will, support life, Reuters reports. Along with ice the lander discovered earlier, “We basically have found what appears to be the requirements, the nutrients, to support life,” a scientist said. More »

  • Stowaway Molecules Could Taint Mars Results

    Jun 5, 08 4:10 PM CDT
    Stowaway Molecules Could Taint Mars Results Missions searching for signs of life on Mars could be fooled by organic molecules that hitched a ride from Earth, a new study suggests. University of Florida researchers using simulated Martian conditions found that ATP, an energy-storing molecule fundamental to terrestrial life, could survive the trip and hang around for months or years on NASA equipment, LiveScience reports. More »

  • On Mars, 'Something That Looks Like Ice'

    May 31, 08 7:53 PM CDT
    On Mars, 'Something That Looks Like Ice' The Phoenix probe sent home photos today of what looks like ice just under Mars' rocky surface, Space.com reports. "The thrusters have excavated two to six inches and, sure enough, we see something that looks like ice,” one mission scientist said. NASA picked the landing spot, in the planet's northern arctic, because it likely hid ice under a thin layer of soil. More »

  • NASA Deploys Mars Probe's Robotic Arm

    May 29, 08 1:00 PM CDT
    NASA Deploys Mars Probe's Robotic Arm NASA’s Phoenix Mars lander extended its robotic arm for the first time late last night, the AP reports, a day late because of a temporary radio blackout. The arm, which will unfurl over a 2-day period, will eventually be used to take samples of ice below the surface in Mars’ arctic regions to search for evidence of life. More »

  • Martian Arctic Says Cheese

    May 26, 08 1:39 PM CDT
    Martian Arctic Says Cheese The Mars Phoenix Lander is sending NASA the first photos of the red planet's northern polar region, CNN reports. On its 3-month mission, the lander will “taste and sniff the northern polar site’s soil and ice,” the agency said. The photos show brown polygons checkering the landscape as far as the eye can see. More »

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has revealed more details of Titan's surface, and what lies beneath.   (Getty Images)
This photo released by NASA/JPL, acquired by the Cassini spacecraft narrow-angle camera on Jan. 29, 2008, shows Saturn's frigid moon Titan as it approaches the brilliant limb of Saturn.   (AP Photo/NASA, JPL, Space Science Institute)
This undated artist drawing released by NASA shows the Mars Science Laboratory, a mobile robot for investigating Mars' past or present ability to sustain microbial life.   (AP Photo/NASA, HO)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

NASA  • space  • Mars  • extraterrestrial life  • Saturn  • Cassini  • Titan


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »