Space and Science

How life may find a way on Saturn’s moon

Ashley Strickland
By Ashley Strickland, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 8:04 PM EDT, Fri July 28, 2017
Tethys is one of Saturn's larger icy moons. This photo was snapped by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in November 2016 from a distance of approximately 228,000 miles (367,000 kilometers).
Tethys is one of Saturn's larger icy moons. This photo was snapped by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in November 2016 from a distance of approximately 228,000 miles (367,000 kilometers).
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
A bright disruption in Saturn's narrow F ring suggests it may have been disturbed recently by the interaction of a small object embedded in the ring itself. They are hard to see, but their handiwork reveals their presence, and scientists use the Cassini spacecraft to study these stealthy sculptors of the F ring.
A bright disruption in Saturn's narrow F ring suggests it may have been disturbed recently by the interaction of a small object embedded in the ring itself. They are hard to see, but their handiwork reveals their presence, and scientists use the Cassini spacecraft to study these stealthy sculptors of the F ring.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Saturn's moons Tethys, Enceladus and Mimas are shown in this image taken by the Cassini spacecraft on December 3, 2015. Tethys is above the rings, Enceladus is below the rings in the center of the image, and Mimas is below and to the left. Cassini has been exploring Saturn and its moons since 2004. The mission is scheduled to end in September 2017.
Saturn's moons Tethys, Enceladus and Mimas are shown in this image taken by the Cassini spacecraft on December 3, 2015. Tethys is above the rings, Enceladus is below the rings in the center of the image, and Mimas is below and to the left. Cassini has been exploring Saturn and its moons since 2004. The mission is scheduled to end in September 2017.
NASA
Saturn's icy moon Dione, with giant Saturn and its rings in the background, was captured in this mosaic of images just prior the <a href="http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cassini spacecraft's</a> final close approach to the moon on August 17, 2015. Scientists combined nine visible light images to create the mosaic. Cassini was at distances ranging from approximately 106,000 miles (170,000 kilometers) to 39,000 miles (63,000 kilometers) from Dione when the images were taken.
Saturn's icy moon Dione, with giant Saturn and its rings in the background, was captured in this mosaic of images just prior the Cassini spacecraft's final close approach to the moon on August 17, 2015. Scientists combined nine visible light images to create the mosaic. Cassini was at distances ranging from approximately 106,000 miles (170,000 kilometers) to 39,000 miles (63,000 kilometers) from Dione when the images were taken.
NASA
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has spotted mysterious reddish streaks on the surface of Saturn's icy moon Tethys. The red streaks are only a few miles wide but several hundred miles long. The images were taken in April. Scientists aren't sure what's causing the streaks.
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has spotted mysterious reddish streaks on the surface of Saturn's icy moon Tethys. The red streaks are only a few miles wide but several hundred miles long. The images were taken in April. Scientists aren't sure what's causing the streaks.
From NASA
This mosaic of Saturn's moon Mimas was created from images taken by Cassini in February 2010. A recent study indicates the moon may contain a liquid water ocean.
This mosaic of Saturn's moon Mimas was created from images taken by Cassini in February 2010. A recent study indicates the moon may contain a liquid water ocean.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Cassini glided high above Saturn in October 2013 to capture this 36-image mosaic of the ringed planet. The colors of the planet appear natural, just as the human eye would see them.
Cassini glided high above Saturn in October 2013 to capture this 36-image mosaic of the ringed planet. The colors of the planet appear natural, just as the human eye would see them.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Cornell
Plumes of water ice and vapor shoot up from the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus in this two-image mosaic taken by Cassini in November 2009. Analysis by NASA scientists indicated that water can reach the Saturnian moon's surface.
Plumes of water ice and vapor shoot up from the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus in this two-image mosaic taken by Cassini in November 2009. Analysis by NASA scientists indicated that water can reach the Saturnian moon's surface.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI
A small, bright blip can be seen on the outermost edge of Saturn's rings in this image taken in April 2013. The bump in the smooth ring structure is an icy object that could provide clues to how Saturn's moons formed.
A small, bright blip can be seen on the outermost edge of Saturn's rings in this image taken in April 2013. The bump in the smooth ring structure is an icy object that could provide clues to how Saturn's moons formed.
NASA/JPL
This false-color image of Saturn's north polar storm looks like a giant red rose surrounded by green foliage. Measurements indicate the storm's eye is a staggering 1,250 miles across with cloud swirling as fast as 330 mph.
This false-color image of Saturn's north polar storm looks like a giant red rose surrounded by green foliage. Measurements indicate the storm's eye is a staggering 1,250 miles across with cloud swirling as fast as 330 mph.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI
Saturn's rings cast a narrow shadow on its surface in this image taken in August 2009.
Saturn's rings cast a narrow shadow on its surface in this image taken in August 2009.
Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images
The scars of time and space mark the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Saturn has at least 62 moons in its orbit.
The scars of time and space mark the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Saturn has at least 62 moons in its orbit.
NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
The Saturn-facing side of Enceladus is illuminated by light bouncing off the planet. Plumes of water ice can be seen streaming off the moon's southern pole.
The Saturn-facing side of Enceladus is illuminated by light bouncing off the planet. Plumes of water ice can be seen streaming off the moon's southern pole.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Saturn's moon Rhea is seen from approximately 174,181 miles away in this March 2013 image.
Saturn's moon Rhea is seen from approximately 174,181 miles away in this March 2013 image.
NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
Rhea's surface is pockmarked with craters from billions of years of impacts. The moon is Saturn's second-largest, with a diameter of 949 miles.
Rhea's surface is pockmarked with craters from billions of years of impacts. The moon is Saturn's second-largest, with a diameter of 949 miles.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has a diameter of 3,200 miles. It looks like a fuzzy orange ball because of its atmosphere.
Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has a diameter of 3,200 miles. It looks like a fuzzy orange ball because of its atmosphere.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Though it's the largest moon orbiting Saturn, Titan is dwarfed by Saturn itself.
Though it's the largest moon orbiting Saturn, Titan is dwarfed by Saturn itself.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Saturn has a small moon called Dione orbiting about 234,000 miles away. That's about the same distance Earth is from its moon.
Saturn has a small moon called Dione orbiting about 234,000 miles away. That's about the same distance Earth is from its moon.
NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
The surface of Dione is seen in this May 2012 image.
The surface of Dione is seen in this May 2012 image.
NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
Tethys, top left, is dwarfed by Saturn as it orbits the planet, though scientists think the moon is much larger than Saturn's ring system.
Tethys, top left, is dwarfed by Saturn as it orbits the planet, though scientists think the moon is much larger than Saturn's ring system.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
The Odysseus Crater spans 280 miles across the northern hemisphere of Tethys.
The Odysseus Crater spans 280 miles across the northern hemisphere of Tethys.
NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
The small bright dot seen in the bottom right is not another Saturn moon. It's Earth. The distance between Saturn and our planet is constantly changing because both are constantly in motion. When they are closest together during their orbits, Saturn is 746 million miles away from Earth. At its farthest, they are just over a billion miles apart. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/27/tech/gallery/cassinis-top-discoveries/index.html" target="_blank">See Cassini's top 10 discoveries about Saturn</a>
The small bright dot seen in the bottom right is not another Saturn moon. It's Earth. The distance between Saturn and our planet is constantly changing because both are constantly in motion. When they are closest together during their orbits, Saturn is 746 million miles away from Earth. At its farthest, they are just over a billion miles apart. See Cassini's top 10 discoveries about Saturn
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
Saturn and its moons

Story highlights

Vinyl cyanide, a complex organic molecule, was detected on Titan

The molecule is capable of forming spheres like cell membranes

CNN  — 

It may not be like the alien life in science fiction, but researchers have just confirmed the presence of something that may lead to life on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, according to a study published Friday in the journal Science Advances.

Vinyl cyanide is a complex organic molecule capable of forming cell membrane-like spheres. While it may sound toxic, this chemical would be right at home on Titan, where significant quantities of it have been detected through data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, a group of radio telescopes in Chile.

Titan isn’t exactly known for being hospitable.

Larger than both our own moon and the planet Mercury, Titan is unique in our solar system. It is the only moon with clouds and a dense atmosphere of nitrogen and methane, which gives it a fuzzy orange appearance.

Its atmospheric pressure is 60% greater than Earth’s, meaning it exerts the kind of pressure you feel at the bottom of a swimming pool, according to NASA.