The search for aliens has led scientists to our very own solar system, where Saturn’s moon Enceladus has an ideal set up for extraterrestrial neighbors. 

According to a study recently published in the journal Nature, the icy satellite has a suitable environment for archaeans, single-celled organisms that can be found in some of the most extreme conditions on our planet. 

“The detection of silica-rich dust particles, as an indication for ongoing hydrothermal activity, and the presence of water and organic molecules in the plume of Enceladus, have made Saturn’s icy moon a hot spot in the search for potential extraterrestrial life,” wrote the international team of researchers. 

They made their discovery during a laboratory study in which they placed an archaeanm known as Methanothermococcus okinawensi, in conditions designed to mimic Enceladus’ environment.

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“We tried to be as broad as possible with our assumptions,” University of Vienna researcher Simon Rittmann told the Washington Post. “No one will be able to tell if these conditions are really occurring on Enceladus. However, we did our best to be as careful as possible.”

They discovered that the organism thrived in their hypothetical conditions.

Methane-producing archaea such as M. okinawensi dwell in extremely hot temperatures in the deep sea, close to hydrothermal vents where they use hydrogen and carbon dioxide to emit methane, Phys.org reports. The researchers suspect there are hydrothermal systems on the satellite that could help archaeans thrive. 

They also suggest that the presence of methane on Enceladus is due to similar organisms living on the satellite. 

"We conclude that some of the CH4 (methane) detected in the plume of Enceladus might, in principle, be produced by methanogens," wrote the scientists. 

Despite the good response from M. okinawensi, it’s not a given that Enceladus is a good host for alien life. 

NASA’s Cassini satellite detected formaldehyde’s presence on the moon, which could disrupt the life cycle of an archaean at certain concentrations, according to The Washington Post. 

The researchers say more research is needed to determine where exactly Enceladus’ methane is coming from.