Titan’s subterranean ocean and analogous oceans inside other cold worlds in the outer solar system could not have the organic chemistry required for life.
Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, holds the distinction of being the second largest moon in our enormous solar system.
The city is well-known for its known air pollution caused by petrochemical emissions. Additionally, its surface is rich in a diverse array of organic molecules, specifically those that contain carbon.
However, despite the captivating chemistry at play, Titan remains a frigid world. Chilly weather. The surface temperatures are extremely cold, reaching as low as -179 degrees Celsius (-290 degrees Fahrenheit).
In these extremely cold conditions, the progress of chemical reactions necessary for life is significantly slowed down.
Hidden beneath the frozen exterior of Saturn’s moon Titan is a vast liquid ocean, reaching depths of approximately 100 kilometers. A possible environment that could support life, similar to the oceans discovered on other celestial bodies such as Enceladus, Europa, and Ganymede.
However, a recent study conducted by Catherine Neish from Western University challenges the prevailing belief about the potential habitability of Titan’s ocean and other icy moons.
The study focuses on the requirement for a substantial supply of organic molecules from the moon’s surface to facilitate prebiotic chemistry in the ocean, a key factor for potential life.
Neish’s team explores the possibility of these organics reaching the ocean through comet impacts, which can create liquid water pools with organic molecules.
Organic Material for Life on Titan
Contrary to expectations, their modeling suggests that the rate of impacts is insufficient for a significant amount of organic material to reach Titan’s ocean.
As per the team’s estimation, just a tiny fraction of around 7,500 kilograms of the basic amino acid glycine is believed to make its way to Titan’s ocean each year.
This quantity is quite insignificant compared to the enormous volume of the ocean. Neish points out that even in the most optimistic scenario, the quantity of organics reaching Titan’s ocean is not enough to sustain life.
During an analysis of possible options, the study brings attention to Europa as a fascinating example. It indicates that the presence of hydrothermal vents on the seafloor of Europa could potentially contribute to the necessary organic material.
But Neish points out that examining the source of Titan’s organic material, whether it comes from within the moon or from its surface, raises questions about its potential for supporting life.
The research, published in the journal Astrobiology on February 2nd, underscores the complexities of habitability in distant worlds.
As scientists await opportunities to directly explore these icy moon oceans, NASA’s upcoming Dragonfly mission to Titan, scheduled for 2028, stands as a promising endeavor.
Dragonfly, a helicopter mission, could provide valuable insights into Titan’s surface impact sites, aiding scientists in unraveling the prebiotic chemistry that may parallel Earth’s journey to life.
Research by Neish has provided valuable insights into possible paths for future exploration and discovery of Titan’s hidden ocean, advancing our comprehension of this mystery world.
