What conclusion does recent modeling suggest regarding the longevity of Enceladus's interior liquid water ocean?

Answer

It is potentially stable over long timescales, possibly enduring for billions of years

For life, even simple forms, to emerge and evolve, a liquid water environment must persist for sufficient geological timeframes. Recent scientific modeling regarding Enceladus's thermal evolution has provided encouraging results on this front. This work suggests that the global subsurface ocean is not merely a temporary feature, but one that has likely remained liquid and stable over vast stretches of time, potentially billions of years. This long-term stability is a significant factor elevating Enceladus's habitability assessment, as it provides the necessary duration for biological processes, should the initial chemical conditions have been met, to take hold and persist.

What conclusion does recent modeling suggest regarding the longevity of Enceladus's interior liquid water ocean?

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