There's a moon named after an enchilada and it has an ocean which may have life

[mota bhai 2,675]

It's turning out that the outer reaches of the solar system may be more hospitable to life than we ever imagined. Gravity measurements made by Cassini have confirmed that Enceladus, a tiny moon orbiting Saturn, hosts a subsurface ocean in its southern latitudes. Astronomers are now saying it's potentially habitable.

The idea that Enceladus may host a subsurface ocean is nothing new. Back in 2005, NASA's Cassini spacecraft beamed back images showing what appeared to be plumes of water vapor spewing out from fractures, called "tiger stripes," near the icy moon's southern pole (similar to what was recently detected on Europa, another icy moon with a subsurface ocean). By itself, these plumes didn't prove that liquid water existed under the ice. It's conceivable, for example, that massive tectonic forces exerted by Saturn's gravity was creating friction along the plates of ice, resulting in cracks and the jettisoning of liquid water.

But now, after an analysis of gravity measurements made by Cassini from 2010 to 2012, astronomers have confirmed that a large reservoir of liquid water exists underneath Enceladus's icy surface. And just as importantly, they've confirmed that the tiny moon is a differentiated celestial body; it's comprised of two layers — an external icy layer and an internal rocky core made up of silicates. Excitingly, this layer of silicate rock, in conjunction with liquid water, means that Enceladus features a potentially habitable environment — one that could be even more hospitable to life than Europa.

http://io9.com/weve-found-a-hidden-ocean-on-enceladus-that-may-harbor-1557622077

[Operator 1,927]

I've never accepted the thought that earth is the only astronomical object that sustains life.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Me either, and I am heartened to see that God is naming celestial objects after Mexican food.

[Operator 1,927]

I think the gods appreciate all manner of food (except English food of course). I don't think think there will ever be a "Spotted ####### Nebula".

[mota bhai 2,675]

English "cuisine" is a prank played upon humanity by the Devil himself.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I've never accepted the thought that earth is the only astronomical object that sustains life.

That would be a statistical impossibility. It is one of the few things that science and religion seem to agree upon.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Aliens have already visited the White House, according to reliable witnesses.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Me either, and I am heartened to see that God is naming celestial objects after Mexican food.

Word.