Global' ocean containing vast liquid water reservoir found in Saturn's moon Nasa

A 'global' ocean containing a vast liquid water reservoir lies beneath the icy crust of Saturn's geologically active moon Enceladus, according to new research using data from Nasa's Cassini mission.

Researchers found that the magnitude of the moon's very slight wobble, as it orbits Saturn, can only be accounted for if its outer ice shell is not frozen solid to its interior, meaning a global ocean must be present.

The finding implies the fine spray of water vapour, icy particles and simple organic molecules Cassini has observed coming from fractures near the moon's south pole is being fed by this vast liquid water reservoir.

Previous analysis of Cassini data suggested the presence of a lens-shaped body of water, or sea, underlying the moon's south polar region.