Muilenburg, Samantha

Mr. Wisner

World History

T/R 4

April 17, 2017

Plumes From Saturns Moon Enceladus Hint

That It Could Support Life

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/science/saturn-cassini-moon-
enceladus.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection
%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=rank&module=package
&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

Key Vocabulary from the Article (Define at least 4).

microbes: a microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or
fermentation
methane: a colorless, odorless flammable gas that is the main constituent of
natural gas. It is the simplest member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons
hydrothermal: relating to or denoting the action of heated water in the earth's crust
equilibrium: a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced

Summary of the Event (at least 3 major points; each point will have its own
paragraph)

A. Plumes of gas have erupted from Enceladus, a small moon that has an ocean of
water underneath its crust of ice. The has contains hydrogen which leads scientists to
believe that there could be hydrothermal chemical reactions happening such as what
happens on the bottom of Earths ocean bottoms with hot fissures. Scientists believe that
this new discovery could support life on the moon.
B. Carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen levels in the plume were out of
equilibrium, which scientists believe that organisms could get food from. This means that
a chemical potential to support microbial systems could exist which in laymans terms,
means that life could be supported through the chemicals. A similar plume has been
found on Jupiters moons with a similar environment to Enceladus.
C. There is a possibility for life to be present, but it is very minimal. From what
scientists have observed, there is not much obvious movement on the planet and they are
not prioratizing exploration. Their last ship was running low on fuel so they had to turn
 Your Opinion of the Event (at least 3 sentences).
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Relate your Event to a Historical Event (compare and contrast with current event).
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Relate your Event to the a subtheme (at least 3 sentences).

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Questions You Have About the Event (4).

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