Cassini continua a regalarci scoperte. Nel ghiaccio di Encelado sono state trovate molecole organiche precursori degli aminoacidi.
Powerful hydrothermal vents eject material from Enceladus’ core, which mixes with water from the moon’s massive subsurface ocean before it is released into space as water vapor and ice grains. The newly discovered molecules, condensed onto the ice grains, were determined to be nitrogen- and oxygen-bearing compounds.
On Earth, similar compounds are part of chemical reactions that produce amino acids, the building blocks of life. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor provide the energy that fuels the reactions. Scientists believe Enceladus’ hydrothermal vents may operate in the same way, supplying energy that leads to the production of amino acids.
Il comunicato NASA.
Il paper.
EDIT. Due articoli in italiano. Media Inaf …
… e Globalscience.