Pictured Above: Saturn’s moon Mimas, aka the “Death Star.” Credit: NASA
Scientists just discovered liquid water in a place they never expected: Mimas, a small moon of Saturn nicknamed the ‘Death Star’ due to its resemblance to the Empire’s space station in Star Wars. Mimas has experienced a shift in orbital rotation that provides evidence for a suspected ocean under its icy surface. Believed to be less than 25 million years old, the ocean is estimated to be around 12-18 miles beneath the frozen exterior, making up about half of Mimas’ total volume. Mimas is now a new candidate in the solar system with the potential to support life!