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Hydrogen cyanide in Enceladus
December 20 , 2023
342 days
535
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- Scientists have found hydrogen cyanide, a key molecule in the creation of life in the oceans of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus.
- The oceans beneath the frozen surface of Enceladus may have more chemical energy than previously believed.
- They detected hydrogen cyanide along with methanol, ethane, and oxygen in the plumes of water vapour erupting from the surface of Enceladus.
- Enceladus, one of Saturn’s 146 moons, is an object of great interest to astronomers owing to its composition.
- It has a white, streaky surface made of water ice.
- Beneath this frozen crust lies a warmer, salty ocean that covers the whole moon.
- The circular moon is just about 500 km wide, with a surface temperature of -200°C.
- But its interiors host several sources of energy and heat.
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