Is microbiological life is possible on Titan?

In these times when resources of earth are rapidly depleted, humankind seeks alternative planets for a home for life.

The prominent private American enterprise Space-X, as well as similar other companies, engage in significant efforts towards economic space travel and colonising Mars.

Moreover, there are many studies conducted towards discovering space, as well as other studies on other planets and systems with an eye towards colonisation as more is learned on the solar system, other neighbouring system and the larger space beyond thanks to space probes.

In addition to all these, one of the greatest questions of the time is whether there is life on any planet other than Earth.

The NASA Exoplanet Program conducts important studies on whether other planets bear life. In addition, important names like MIT physics professor Sara Seager are researching chemical findings indicating presence of life.

All studies up to this point show we are still alone in the infinite void as an intelligent form of life.

However, putting that aside, is there no planet or satellite whose structure and atmosphere could be home to non-intelligent or single celled life?

On that particular point, researchers focus their attention to our own solar system at first.

Excluding dwarf planets, the solar system includes 8 major planets. The largest among these planets by volume are Jupiter and Saturn. In addition being giants, these planets also harbour the largest number of satellites in their orbit. Each of these two have 53 of the 158 confirmed satellites in the solar system.

These two planets fall under the gas giant classification. Due to their structure, it is almost impossible for life to exist on their bodies.

However, studies focusing on Titan, largest satellite of Jupiter, have identified a molecule which is not yet found on any other planet or satellite.

Titan is the only celestial body with a structural atmosphere and stable liquid presence outside of Earth. However, the liquid body observed on this body is liquid form of methane gas.

In addition, the C3H2 (Cyclopropenylidene) molecule, which can serve as backbone of DNA, has been discovered in the atmosphere of Titan. The main constituent of this molecule is methane.

In other words, copious amounts of methane are found on Titan, both in its atmosphere and in liquid form falling as precipitation on its landmasses.

It is known that microorganisms living on methane exists on Earth.

Bases on this, scientists and researchers spend great efforts to prove this celestial body bearing large amounts of methane and important molecules might be home to micro-organic life.

No one knows what future will bring, but  a potential discovery of micro-organic life on Titan would definitely be a revolution in the world of science.

Adil Can Kavcar, İzmir