Dione could be Saturn’s third moon with a subsurface ocean
Three years ago, researchers found evidence that Saturn’s moon Dione was home to an ocean located deep beneath its surface when it originally formed, and now, a new study appearing in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that said body of water might still be there.
Research published in the journal Icarus in March 2013 used images collected from the NASA Cassini spacecraft to hypothesize that the moon’s topography suggested that a subsurface ocean caused Dione’s crust to become cracked and stressed early on during the satellite’s lifespan.
Now, researchers from the Royal Observatory of Belgium and their colleagues used computer modeling techniques to demonstrate that gravitational data observed during Cassini’s flybys of the moon can be explained if its crust is floating above an ocean located roughly 62 miles (100 km) below its surface, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) explained in a blog post.
If confirmed, this would make Dione the third of Saturn’s moons found to harbor oceans under their surface, joining Titan and Enceladus in that increasingly less-exclusive group. It would also suggest that the subsurface waters have likely persisted throughout the moon’s history, meaning that Dione may be home to a long-term habitable zone for microbial life.
Computer model also sheds new light on Enceladus
In a statement, the authors explain that this newfound ocean is likely “tens of kilometers” deep and surrounds “a large rocky core” in the heart of the moon. From within, they explained, Dione is similar to but smaller than Enceladus, suggesting that both of the satellites have icy shells that are made up of global icebergs immersed in water and supported by deep keels.
Similar models have been used by scientists in the past, but that research suggested that Dione lacked an ocean and Enceladus was home to an extremely thick crust. According to lead author Mikael Beuthe, the researchers “assumed that the icy crust can stand only the minimum amount of tension or compression necessary to maintain surface landforms,” as additional stress “would break the crust down to pieces.”
Based on this model, Beuthe’s team determined that Enceladus’ ocean is closer to the surface than Dione’s, especially near the moon’s south pole, where geysers have been spotted erupting through a thin layer of crust. The findings support the discovery made by Cassini last year that the moon undergoes extensive back-and-forth oscillations or libration during its orbit.
Dione, on the other hand, is home to a much deeper ocean located between its crust and core, according to the new study. It too undergoes libration, co-author Antony Trinh explained, but it does so at levels that the Cassini probe is unable to detect. Of course, this is only a prediction, Trinh noted, and will need to be confirmed or disproven by sending a future orbiter to analyze Saturn’s moons – one with more sensitive instruments than Cassini.
The study provides “the first clear evidence for a present-day ocean within Dione,” the authors wrote. With this discovery, there are now three “ocean worlds” orbiting Saturn, along with three orbiting around Jupiter and at least one believed to be in the Pluto system based on observations made recently by the New Horizons spacecraft. In light of these observations, Beuthe said that he believes future missions should be sent to explore the Uranus and Neptune systems.
—–
Image credit: NASA/JPL
The post Dione could be Saturn’s third moon with a subsurface ocean appeared first on Redorbit.
redOrbit.com
offers Science, Space, Technology, Health news, videos, images and reference information. For the latest science news, space news, technology news, health news visit redOrbit.com frequently. Learn something new every day.”
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113416076/ocean-on-dione-100316/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
