Enceladus: Biosignatures

Abstract

Saturn's moon Enceladus is a new world for Astrobiology. Through the study of Enceladus' plumes new insights into its habitability will be gained. The four core parameters for life include: water, carbon, nitrogen, and energy; all were found in the plume. Carbon and nitrogen in the plume exist in forms easily usable by biological systems (CH4, HCN, NH3, H2, CO2, and organics up to C6). The first step to search for evidence of life is to define potential biosignatures for Enceladus.