Many of us ask ourselves the same question when we look at the night sky: is it possible that there is extraterrestrial life in our solar system? Although it sounds like bad science fiction, this question has been the subject of intense research and debate within the scientific community (and will continue to be).
Most research has focused on planets such as Mars, Venus or Saturn. However, a new study published by NASA indicates that several moons of Uranus may have oceans warm enough to support life.
Scientists have recently analyzed data collected over decades by the veteran Voyager 2 spacecraft, which flew over Uranus in 1986 during one of its long space missions. Thanks to new computer techniques, it has been discovered that 4 of the planet’s 27 moons may have brackish oceans in their cores and crusts. This new study is the first to delve into the structure of the five large moons of Uranus (Umbriel, Titania, Ariel, Oberon and Miranda).
The results suggest that these moons would be adding plasma to space through an a priori unknown process. As a result, it is possible that there were large oceans beneath the surface and that they spew this material through plumes.
Radioactive decay would have caused moons like Titania to harbor heat internally, which would eventually lead to the existence of these oceans. Now, the National Academies’ 2023 Decadal Survey of Planetary Science and Astrobiology wants to prioritize Uranus in upcoming space missions.
Uranus has managed to captivate the scientific community because its size is the most common size to be found in the cosmos, making it an ideal planet to learn about. Despite this, only one spacecraft has visited the planet’s environs. Scientists have used ground-based telescopes to better understand its seasonal and meteorological changes, but the paucity of information still leaves us with many questions.
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