Abstract
The Saturn system includes several planetary bodies of interest for astrobiology especially Titan and Enceladus. As clearly shown by the many data obtained from the Cassini-Huygens mission, Titan presents important aspects in that field: many analogies with the Earth, the presence of a complex and active organic chemistry, and the potential for life, with the likely presence of an internal water ocean. The Cassini orbiter observations of Enceladus have revealed a fully unexpected activity on this satellite, with the ejection of large plumes of water ice and organics. This suggests the presence of an internal liquid water body, another potential for life in the Saturn system.
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Acknowledgments
The author wishes to thank CNES and ESA for their support in his Cassini-Huygens participation as an IDS of the mission, making possible the writing of this chapter.
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Raulin, F. (2012). Potential for Life in the Saturn System. In: Seckbach, J. (eds) Genesis - In The Beginning. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2941-4_41
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2941-4_41
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