Discovered: Water Source in Unanticipated Extra-Terrestrial Location

In the far reaches of our solar system, the dwarf planet Pluto's largest moon, Charon, has been a subject of intrigue for scientists and space enthusiasts alike. Located in the Kuiper Belt, an area just beyond Neptune, Charon has been the focus of numerous investigations since its discovery in 1978.

The New Horizons spacecraft, which flew past Pluto and its moons in 2015, provided a wealth of information about Charon. Images captured by the spacecraft showed multiple terrains on the moon that exhibit properties consistent with an ancient ocean. These findings were published in the Icarus journal.

One of the most striking discoveries was the presence of frigid geysers on Charon. These geysers are a result of cryovolcanism, where water rises to the surface and turns into ice crystals. The identification of ammonia ice on Charon further supports the theory of former and possibly active geological activity on the moon.

The discovery of water ice on Charon was first made in 1987, and since then, it has been a topic of ongoing research. In 2000, researchers published findings in Science of a crystalline form of water ice covering most of Charon's surface. High-resolution spectra from the International Gemini Observatory depicted frigid geysers on Charon in 2007.

Scientists believe it's plausible for an underground ocean to be escaping on Charon, creating the icy surface of the moon. This theory is supported by the evidence of cryovolcanism and the presence of multiple terrains that exhibit properties consistent with an ancient ocean across the entire moon.

The discovery of water on Charon has strengthened the case for the possibility of life beyond Earth. The presence of ammonia ice, a compound that is essential for life as we know it, adds further weight to this theory. The imagination of the possibility of life beyond Earth has filled our minds for thousands of years, and discoveries like these bring us one step closer to answering this age-old question.

Space exploration has been driven, in part, by the possibility of life beyond Earth. The Kuiper Belt, where Charon is located, is home to many other icy moons that have been shown to contain water and ammonia ice, as demonstrated by Voyager surveys. The current investigations on Charon were primarily conducted by researchers analyzing data from the New Horizons mission and follow-up observations with telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope.

In 2007, the International Gemini Observatory in Hawaii labeled Charon as a possible "outer solar system ice machine". This label reflects the moon's potential for producing large amounts of ices, including water and ammonia. The center of Charon contains liquid water, as indicated by the cryovolcanism.

The first indication of water ice on Charon was observed in 1987 during an occlusion of the moon by Pluto. Since then, our understanding of Charon and its potential for harbouring life has grown exponentially. As we continue to explore the far reaches of our solar system, discoveries like these remind us of the vastness and mystery of the universe.