Variation in water jets on Saturn moon said evidence of deep oceans

PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The strength of jets of water and organic particles spouting from Saturn's moon Enceladus depends on the moon's proximity to the ringed planet, astronomers say.

Data obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft have shown differences in the amount of spray emanating from the moon are tied to its distance from Saturn as it orbits the planet, the space agency reported Thursday.

The first clear observation that a bright plume emanating from Enceladus' south pole varies predictably adds to evidence that a liquid water reservoir or ocean lurks under the icy surface of the moon, scientists said.

"The jets of Enceladus apparently work like adjustable garden hose nozzles," lead study author Matt Hedman at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., said. "The nozzles are almost closed when Enceladus is closer to Saturn and are most open when the moon is farthest away. We think this has to do with how Saturn squeezes and releases the moon with its gravity."

The jets were discovered in 2005 by Cassini, which has been orbiting the ringed planet since 2004.

"The way the jets react so responsively to changing stresses on Enceladus suggests they have their origins in a large body of liquid water," said Christophe Sotin, Cassini team member at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "Liquid water was key to the development of life on Earth, so these discoveries whet the appetite to know whether life exists everywhere water is present."