Pakistan-born German scientist discovers life-supporting molecules on Saturn’s moon
A Pakistan-born German scientist has made a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of life beyond Earth
KARACHI, Pakistan (MNTV) – A Pakistan-born German scientist has made a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of life beyond Earth.
Dr. Nozair Khawaja, an astrobiologist at Freie Universität Berlin, has identified a range of complex, life-supporting organic molecules in the subsurface ocean of Enceladus, an icy moon orbiting Saturn. The findings, published on October 1 in Nature Astronomy, are based on an exhaustive analysis of data collected by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft during its 13-year exploration of the Saturn system.
According to the study, Khawaja and his team discovered ethers, alkenes, esters, and other organic moieties within the ice grains ejected from Enceladus’ ocean floor through geyser-like vents near its south pole. These ice particles were captured by Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA), a sophisticated instrument equipped with sensors and spectrometers that examined their chemical makeup.
“ We have found several categories of organic – meaning primarily carbon-containing – molecules that span a range of structures and chemical properties,” Dr. Khawaja told The Express Tribune.
“Some – esters and ethers – contain bridges of oxygen atoms and both single and double bonds. Some are straight-chained (aliphatic), while others are cyclic or aromatic in nature. Nitrogen- and oxygen-bearing molecules were also detected,” he added.
Dr. Khawaja said the discovery provides deeper insight into the complex chemistry occurring in Enceladus’ subsurface ocean, where such compounds could serve as intermediates for the synthesis of biologically relevant molecules, such as pyrimidines, which are essential for DNA and RNA formation.
However, he cautioned that these molecules could also form through abiotic (non-biological) processes.
Astrobiologists widely agree that three fundamental conditions are required for life to exist anywhere in the cosmos: liquid water, an energy source, and essential chemical ingredients. Enceladus—despite being just 505 kilometers across—appears to meet all three.
The Cassini–Huygens mission, launched in 1997 and arriving at Saturn in 2004 after a 3.5-billion-kilometer journey, revealed that Enceladus’ south pole vents spew ice and gas into space, forming Saturn’s faint E ring.
To collect data, Cassini performed multiple flybys through these plumes, gathering thousands of ice particles. The spacecraft detected phosphates, confirming the presence of five of the six elements essential for life—carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus (collectively known as CHNOPS).
“One of the major aspects of this work is that the organics were sampled just minutes after their ejection from Enceladus and so could not have been affected by space radiation,” Khawaja explained.
“We are confident that these molecules originate from the subsurface ocean of the moon, enhancing its habitability potential.”
Researchers believe that hydrothermal vents—similar to those found in Earth’s deep oceans, such as the Lost City Hydrothermal Field in the Atlantic—exist on Enceladus’ ocean floor, where water-rock interactions fuel chemical reactions that could support microbial life.
“On Enceladus, we do not yet know whether life exists, whether it existed in the past, or if prebiotic chemistry is taking place. However, this moon remains the prime target for contemporary space exploration to answer these questions,” Khawaja said, adding that the new findings will guide the design of future missions to Enceladus.
Beginnings and background
Born in Wazirabad, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Dr. Khawaja completed his Master’s in Astronomy and Space Sciences at Punjab University before earning a PhD in Geosciences from Heidelberg University in Germany.
He later conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute of Earth Sciences, focusing on astrobiology and extraterrestrial environments.
Dr. Khawaja’s pioneering work has earned him global recognition. In 2019, NASA awarded him the Group Achievement Award for his contribution to Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer team.
The following year, he received the Horneck-Brack Award from the European Astrobiology Network Association.
His research has appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, and the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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