Uranus' Moon Miranda May Harbor an Ocean and Possibly Life
Miranda, one of the smaller moons of Uranus, is emerging as a surprising new candidate in the search for habitable environments in our solar system. New analysis suggests the tiny moon may harbor a liquid ocean beneath its fractured, icy surface — a finding that has caught scientists off guard given Miranda's small size and distant location.
The evidence comes from reexamination of Miranda's unusual geological features, including dramatic cliffs and grooved terrain that hint at internal activity driven by tidal heating. If a subsurface ocean exists, it would join a growing roster of ocean worlds — including Europa, Enceladus, and Titan — where liquid water and potential energy sources could theoretically support microbial life. The finding adds urgency to calls for a dedicated mission to the Uranian system, which remains one of the least explored regions of our solar system.
The evidence comes from reexamination of Miranda's unusual geological features, including dramatic cliffs and grooved terrain that hint at internal activity driven by tidal heating. If a subsurface ocean exists, it would join a growing roster of ocean worlds — including Europa, Enceladus, and Titan — where liquid water and potential energy sources could theoretically support microbial life. The finding adds urgency to calls for a dedicated mission to the Uranian system, which remains one of the least explored regions of our solar system.