NASA Cassini Data Reveals Building Block for Life in Enceladus’ Ocean
www.jpl.nasa.gov
Phosphorus, a key chemical element for many biological processes, has been found in icy grains emitted by the small moon and is likely abundant in its subsurface ocean.
  • readbeanicecream@beehaw.orgEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Interesting quote:

    We previously found that Enceladus’ ocean is rich in a variety of organic compounds … But now, this new result reveals the clear chemical signature of substantial amounts of phosphorus salts inside icy particles ejected into space by the small moon’s plume. It’s the first time this essential element has been discovered in an ocean beyond Earth.

    – Frank Postberg, a planetary scientist at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, who led the new study