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Researchers Mariam Naseem and Marc Neveu sampling and bottling brine from sea ice in Antarctica
Two NASA researchers successfully collected samples from 3,675 feet beneath Antarctic waters. They aim to run simulations on the samples to understand the changes that happen to similar water molecules that erupt into space from icy planets. This could be a big step forward in the search for life on those icy worlds.
Pluto, Enceladus (Saturn’s moon), and Europa (Jupiter’s moon) are icy worlds believed to harbor liquid water beneath thick layers of ice. Some of these worlds contain key ingredients for life, including carbon, nitrogen, and chemical energy. As a result, scientists are investigating whether they could support microbial life.
To sample water from these worlds, researchers would typically need to drill through kilometers of ice. However, worlds such as Enceladus present an alternative through a process known as cryovolcanism. During cryovolcanic activity, subsurface ocean water erupts into space, allowing scientists to collect samples without drilling. The challenge, however, is that many molecules may be altered during their journey from the ocean to space — a problem researchers Mariam Naseem, Marc Neveu, and their team aim to address.
>The researchers collected water samples from Deep Circumpolar Current water 3,675 feet (1,120 meters) below the surface of the Weddell Sea, located east of the Antarctic Peninsula. They selected this site because the water there is isolated from sunlight, similar to conditions on ocean worlds beyond Earth.
The samples will be tested in a simulator that replicates the space environment. This will help researchers determine how cryovolcanism alters ocean material and how those changes could influence the search for life beyond Earth.
Image source: Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM)/Maria Sanchez Urrea
Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 407 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.