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Scientists find a 'hint of life' on Saturn's moon Titan

 
 
 
 
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Saturn's moon, Titan, pictured using ultraviolet and infrared cameras on board the space probe Cassini. Scientists now believe that the moon could harbour life

Scientists have found evidence that there is life on Saturn’s biggest moon, Titan.

They have discovered clues that primitive aliens are breathing in Titan’s atmosphere and feeding on fuel at the surface.

The startling discoveries, made using an orbiting spacecraft, are revealed in two separate reports.

Data from Nasa’s Cassini probe has analysed the complex chemistry on the surface of Titan – the only moon known to have a dense atmosphere.

Its surface is covered with mountains, lakes and rivers which has led astronomers to call it the most Earthlike world in the solar system.

Organic chemicals had already been detected on the 3,200-mile wide planet. But the liquid on Titan is not water but methane and the scientists expect life there to be methane-based.

The first paper, in the journal Icarus, shows that hydrogen gas flowing down through Titan’s atmosphere disappears at the surface, suggesting it could be being breathed by alien bugs.

The second paper, in the Journal of Geophysical Research, reports there is a lack of a certain chemical on the surface, leading scientists to believe it may be being consumed by life.

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Look familiar? An artist's conception showing Titan's Earthlike surface with Saturn appearing dimly in the background through the thick atmosphere

Scientists had expected sunlight interacting with chemicals in the atmosphere to produce acetylene that falls down to coat Titan’s surface. But Cassini detected no acetylene there.

Experts warn that there could be other explanations for the results.

But taken together, they fulfil two important conditions necessary for methane-based life to exist.

Nasa astrobiologist Chris McKay said: ‘If these signs do turn out to be a sign of life, it would be doubly exciting because it would represent a second form of life independent from water-based life on Earth.’

Scientists believe that when the Sun swells up, swallowing Earth, conditions could be ideal on a warmer Titan.

Professor John Zarnecki, of the Open University, said: ‘We believe the chemistry is there for life to form. It just needs heat and warmth to kick-start the process.

‘In four billion years’ time, when the Sun swells into a red giant, it could be paradise on Titan.’

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6 Responses to " Scientists find a 'hint of life' on Saturn's moon Titan "

  1. Why do Orthodox Jews have such long beards?

    To break the swing of German testicles.

    I don’t know what this has to do with life on Titan, but who gives a fuck? :twisted:

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  2. I see nothing wrong with raping jews on other planets. What goes around comes around. Rape them, then finance their medical treatment at 5000% interest. See how they like it.

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  3. I read the book. Black men were seen raping Jewish girls on Titan by the Hubble Telescope. The resultant offspring simultaneously set up pawn shops, then robbed them at gunpoint. “It’s shaping up to look a lot like Earth, with Jews and Blacks fighting it out for survival. Now it’s time for Jesus to go there,” a Nasa source stated.

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  4. Haha, did they say that the clue shows when is the last time aliens visit Titan?

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  5. I hope that people go back to read the original sources before this article.

    Scientist HAVE NOT found evidence that there is life on Saturn’s largest moon Titan.

    Scientists have suggested a mechanism that could explain the chemical cycling on Titan.

    Biological life is ONE potential explanation. Saying that an observation could possibly be explained by a form of life is a long way from saying that it is evidence for life. It is a hypothesis for an observation, and evidence for nothing.

    Evidence may indeed come but that will be considerably more refined, then there current hypothesis.

    This is a very important observation and hypothesis which should not get confused with faulty statements. I look forward to this developing into many more interesting observations.

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  6. Sir
    With due respect,I too opined as just curiou to know the existence of life other than The earth.And am very happy thanks a lot to entire astro team paintakingly performed set.
    hopfully willing to know more about illions address.

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