A global team of scientists lead by Professor Frank Postberg of the Freie Universität Berlin made a game-changing discovery. Dr. Nozair Khawaja, a Pakistani scientist, was helpful in this great achievement.
The researchers studied data collected by the National Aeronautics and satellite Administration (NASA) during the Cassini satellite mission while exploring Enceladus, Saturn’s icy moon. They uncovered a hidden ocean beneath the icy surface of the moon that contained phosphorus, a rare yet necessary element for life.
On June 14, 2023, these discoveries were published in the prestigious journal Nature. According to Professor Postberg, their findings found substantial phosphate concentrations in Enceladus’ ocean water. Furthermore, their research revealed the sources of its exceptional enrichment, which exceeded that of the Earth’s seas.
Because phosphorus is the building block of DNA and RNA, it is essential to all life. Enceladus now has all six elements required for life (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur), making it a good possibility for habitability on other worlds.
Dr. Khawaja emphasized the significance of this discovery, saying it meets every need on the list of bio-essential components.
Phosphorus is not only required for life, but it also inhibits growth in a range of environments. As a result of this discovery, Enceladus is now at the forefront of the search for extraterrestrial life, underlining the need for a new space mission to determine whether or not this mystery moon is actually teeming with life.
