Deep-sea microorganisms could survive on Saturn’s moon – in theory

Interest in Enceladus as a potential host for alien life likely to intensify as tests show Earth bacteria thrive in similar conditions

Deep-sea bacteria thrive in conditions designed to closely match those on Saturn's tiny moon, Enceladus, according to scientists investigating the potential for alien life forms to survive there.

The findings are likely to intensify interest in Enceladus, which has risen to the top of the list of potential locations in our solar system that might have the right conditions to support extraterrestrial life. Last year Nasa announced that a flyby of Enceladus by the Cassini spacecraft had identified water, ice and most of the chemical ingredients necessary for habitability.