n an attempt to detect or confirm the absence of geological activity on Saturn's moon Mimas, scientists at the Northwestern Research Institute (USA) have uncovered strong evidence that an ocean may be hiding beneath the object's surface. If the hypothesis is confirmed, another potentially habitable place will appear in the solar system.

Scientists are increasingly turning to the topic of planetary satellites in the solar system with signs of underground oceans. The best-known such objects are Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Europa, both of which are considered prime candidates for programs to search for alien life. According to scientists, Enceladus even contains the necessary substances to maintain the composition of the sea water that erupts from its geysers near the South Pole.

Both Enceladus and Europa are showing signs of geological activity, suggesting the likely presence of a heat source that could allow liquid water to exist on these moons. But the surface of Mimas is literally riddled with craters, one of which has a diameter of 130 to 140 km, which makes the moon look like the Death Star from Star Wars. Due to the abundance of craters, scientists have long considered the satellite to be geologically inactive - just a block of ice.