Cassini mission data reveals active ocean on Saturn moon Enceladus

Data from the Cassini-Huygens mission continues to provide insights into Saturn's moon, Enceladus, nearly a decade after the mission concluded in 2017. The findings highlight a warm, salty ocean hidden beneath the moon's thick icy crust.

This subsurface ocean, estimated to be between 30 and 40 km deep, appears to function as an active chemical laboratory rich in complex molecules. While no microorganisms have been detected, the presence of the necessary ingredients for life makes Enceladus a significant subject of study. The existence of this liquid water ocean was originally identified through geysers observed by the Cassini probe near the moon's south pole.