Biosignature
Videos
A biosignature is a phenomenon that can be explained by biological processes where all possible abiotic causes of this phenomenon have been eliminated. This term is mainly used in the field of astrobi
Electron micrograph of microfossils from a sediment core obtained by the Deep Sea Drilling Program
A Life Detection Ladder summarizing measurable traits associated with living systems, ordered by how strongly they may indicate extant life. The framework, inspired by lessons from Viking and later missions, links biological features with the types of measurements that could support a confident life-detection claim.
Discovery of long-chain hydrocarbons by SAM at Gale Crater in 2025. These fatty acids are the key components of cell membranes.
An image of the plumes of water and ice coming from the surface of Enceladus. Future missions will investigate these geysers to determine the composition and look for signs of life.
Enceladus
Videos
Enceladus is the sixth-largest moon of Saturn and the 18th largest in the Solar System. It is about 500 kilometres in diameter, about a tenth of that of Saturn's largest moon, Titan. It is covered by
Enceladus imaged by the Cassini orbiter, October 2015
William Herschel, discoverer of Enceladus
Enceladus orbiting within Saturn's E ring
Enceladus compared to 1 Ceres and the Moon