Bacteria on Earth live easily on Moon Enceladus

Saturn's moon moon, Enceladus, is one of the most promising places in the Solar System to search for outer space. It is wet, has lots of resources and is quite warm, is a very suitable environment for bacteria to live and grow.

In a new study, scientists tested the bacteria on Earth under conditions found on Enceladus, and found that these bugs not only existed but also reproduced. This finding helps reinforce the hope that the moon Enceladus can support life.

Bacteria on Earth live easily on Moon Enceladus Picture 1

Most of the human knowledge about Enceladus comes from Cassini probes. Data collected during 10 years showed a deep, wide ocean, with hot air vents on the seabed and ice-spray circuits. Cassini had the opportunity to analyze Enceladus' chemical composition and found that the planet has many essential ingredients for life as well as biological potential.

The beetles are called Methanothermococcus okinawensis, which is essentially a strain of methane-producing bacteria found deep in the sea in Japan. These bacteria are chosen because they are particularly suitable for the conditions on the Moon Enceladus. They can survive in very high pressures and temperatures, and they metabolize carbon dioxide and hydrogen molecules - both of which are detected in large quantities in this moon's cloud. Certainly, bacteria can survive, reproduce and emit methane.

Simon Rittmann, director of the study, said: " We found that the bacterium is capable of cloning in the same conditions of Enceladus and some methane gas is detected in rock faucets on the surface. face moon " .

This new study shows for the first time how exciting the Moon Enceladus is and is sure that the Ice Moon will remain a place of great interest in the quest for future extraterrestrial life.

The research is published in Nature Communications.

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