Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about one of Saturn’s most iconic moons, suggesting that it has a hidden ocean beneath its surface. Known for its resemblance to the Death Star station from the Star Wars franchise, Saturn’s moon Mimas has always captured the imagination of astronomers. However, it is not its famous appearance that has researchers excited, but rather the newly found ocean.
A team of researchers led by French astronomer Valéry Lainey from Observatoire de Paris has published their findings in the journal Nature. By analyzing Mimas’ orbital motion, they have determined that the moon’s ocean is most likely less than 25 million years old and still evolving, challenging previous assumptions about the celestial body.
Mimas joins the list of other moons known to have subsurface oceans, such as Enceladus and Titan of Saturn, and Europa and Ganymede of Jupiter. Enceladus, Mimas’ neighboring moon, has demonstrated the existence of a below-surface body of water through its icy fracturing and geysers of water.
What sets Mimas apart is its thick, icy exterior, which had never indicated the presence of an ocean until now. According to the researchers, this is because Mimas’ ocean is located a staggering 12 to 18 miles (20 to 30 kilometers) below the moon’s frozen shell, hidden from view.
Valéry Lainey described the findings as astonishing and highlighted the implications for habitability on other celestial bodies. The major finding here is the discovery of habitability conditions on a solar system object which we would never, never expect to have liquid water, he said.
The discovery of a hidden ocean on Mimas has been met with enthusiasm from fellow researchers. Matija Ćuk from the SETI Institute and Alyssa Rose Rhoden from the Southwest Research Institute expressed inspiration and noted the potential significance of young oceans in relatively small, icy moons.
Mimas, affectionately referred to as the Death Star moon due to its striking resemblance to the fictional space station, was discovered by astronomer William Herschel in 1789. The moon derived its name from Mimas, a giant in Greek mythology.
While Mimas continues to surprise scientists with its newfound ocean, further studies and research will be necessary to unlock the secrets of this icy moon and expand our understanding of habitability in the outer reaches of our solar system. As we delve deeper into the mysteries of these celestial bodies, we may uncover even more surprises lurking beneath their frozen exteriors.
