Saturn’s Death Star-like moon Mimas could be hiding a watery secret, according to scientists.
Saturn’s Death Star-like moon Mimas could be hiding a watery secret, according to scientists.
Researchers have found “compelling evidence” the small 396 kilometre diameter moon has a secret underground ocean below its icy shell.
Suspicions were first raised after NASA’s Cassini probe detected a “wobble” in the moon’s rotation in 2014.
The wobble indicates Mimas’ interior is not exactly uniform.
Now a study published on January 19 in the journal Icarus posits the wobble could be due to a hidden body of water deep within the moon.
If the theory proves correct Mimas would be an entirely new type of celestial body.
“If Mimas has an ocean, it represents a new class of small, ‘stealth’ ocean worlds with surfaces that do not betray the ocean’s existence,” geophysicist and lead author of the study Alyssa Rhoden said in a statement.
“Turns out, Mimas’ surface was tricking us, and our new understanding has greatly expanded the definition of a potentially habitable world in our solar system and beyond.”
Mimas was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel on September 17, 1789.
It has been nicknamed the “Death Star” moon due to its uncanny resemblance to the iconic Star Wars battle station.
Source: 9News