This Cassini spacecraft image released by NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute shows icy geysers spewing from the south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Huge geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus may be fed by a salty sea below its surface, boosting the odds of extraterrestrial life in our own Solar System, according to a study released on June 24, 2009. Researchers in Europe detected salt particles in the volcanic vapour-and-ice jets that shoot hundreds of kilometres (miles) into space, the strongest evidence to date of a liquid ocean under the moon's icy crust. Scientists already knew that tiny Enceladus, only 500 kilometers across, had two of the three essential ingredients for the emergence of life. Getty Images logo Getty Images 4 months ago

This Cassini spacecraft image released by NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute shows icy geysers spewing from the south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Huge geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus may be fed by a salty sea below its surface, boosting the odds of extraterrestrial life in our own Solar System, according to a study released on June 24, 2009. Researchers in Europe detected salt particles in the volcanic vapour-and-ice jets that shoot hundreds of kilometres (miles) into space, the strongest evidence to date of a liquid ocean under the moon's icy crust. Scientists already knew that tiny Enceladus, only 500 kilometers across, had two of the three essential ingredients for the emergence of life.

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  1. In this image provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory the surface Saturn's moon, Enceladus, captured by Cassini on its Nov. 2, 2009, flyby of Enceladus. The camera was pointing toward Enceladus from approximately 14,000 kilometers (9,000 miles) away.
  2. Ben Shelef, left, and David Bashford of the LaserMotive discuss their entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games after the device was weighed-in at the end of the day at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  3. Thomas Nugent, left, and Jordin Kare of the LaserMotive team talk about their entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  4. This handout photo from NASA shows the KC Space Robots robot climbing a cable suspended from a helicopter, not shown, in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  5. This handout photo from NASA shows the LaserMotive robotic climber nearing the goal on a cable suspended from a helicopter, not shown, in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  6. A member of the University of Saskatchewan dozes off after spending most of the night preparing the team's entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  7. Photovoltaic cells, temporarily protected by colored plastic, are seen below as Andrew Williams of the University of Saskatchewan works on his team's entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  8. This handout photo from NASA shows David Bashford, right, lead of the LaserMotive team, preparing their robotic climber entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. After three years without a winner in a NASA-backed competition to develop the science fiction space elevator concept, the team from Seattle on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 collected $900,000 after its laser-powered robotic machine raced up more than 2,950 feet (nearly 1 kilometer) of cable dangling from a helicopter.
  9. This handout photo from NASA shows David Bashford, right, lead of the LaserMotive team, preparing their robotic climber entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  10. KC Space Pirates team member Dan Leafblad is reflected in the mirror of the laser used by his team in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  11. Photovoltaic panels, which convert laser light into electrical energy similar to solar panels, are seen on the bottom of the LaserMotive entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  12. An electric motor powered by photovoltaic cells below provides the lifting force for the LaserMotive entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  13. Team leader David Bashford, right, prepares the LaserMotive robotic climber during the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  14. This handout photo from NASA shows Dan Leafbflad, left, and other members of the KC Space Pirates preparing their robotic climber entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  15. This handout photo from NASA shows Brian Turner, left, and Dan Leafblad preparing the KC Space Pirates robotic climber for its run in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  16. CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - OCTOBER 28: NASA's Ares 1-X test rocket lifs off from launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center October 28, 2009 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA has designed the Ares to be the replacement to the aging space shuttle fleet.

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  1. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Ki-Sik of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff speaks during a press briefing detailing the at-sea incident whereby a North Korean naval boat was allegedly shot at by a South Korean naval vessel off the West Coast of South Korea on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The North Korean boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line and failed to retreat after warning shots from the South Korean Navy were fired. The North Korean vessel then opened fire on the South Korean boat, and a fire fight ensued, reportedly resulting in the North Korean craft returning back across the border in flames after the South Korean craft returned their fire.
  2. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Ki-Sik of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff speaks during a press briefing detailing the at-sea incident whereby a North Korean naval boat was allegedly shot at by a South Korean naval vessel off the West Coast of South Korea on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The North Korean boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line and failed to retreat after warning shots from the South Korean Navy were fired. The North Korean vessel then opened fire on the South Korean boat, and a fire fight ensued, reportedly resulting in the North Korean craft returning back across the border in flames after the South Korean craft returned their fire.
  3. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Ki-Sik of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff speaks during a press briefing detailing the at-sea incident whereby a North Korean naval boat was allegedly shot at by a South Korean naval vessel off the West Coast of South Korea on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The North Korean boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line and failed to retreat after warning shots from the South Korean Navy were fired. The North Korean vessel then opened fire on the South Korean boat, and a fire fight ensued, reportedly resulting in the North Korean craft returning back across the border in flames after the South Korean craft returned their fire.
  4. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Ki-Sik of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff speaks during a press briefing detailing the at-sea incident whereby a North Korean naval boat was allegedly shot at by a South Korean naval vessel off the West Coast of South Korea on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The North Korean boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line and failed to retreat after warning shots from the South Korean Navy were fired. The North Korean vessel then opened fire on the South Korean boat, and a fire fight ensued, reportedly resulting in the North Korean craft returning back across the border in flames after the South Korean craft returned their fire.
  5. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Ki-Sik of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff speaks during a press briefing detailing the at-sea incident whereby a North Korean naval boat was allegedly shot at by a South Korean naval vessel off the West Coast of South Korea on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The North Korean boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line and failed to retreat after warning shots from the South Korean Navy were fired. The North Korean vessel then opened fire on the South Korean boat, and a fire fight ensued, reportedly resulting in the North Korean craft returning back across the border in flames after the South Korean craft returned their fire.
  6. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Ki-Sik of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff speaks during a press briefing detailing the at-sea incident whereby a North Korean naval boat was allegedly shot at by a South Korean naval vessel off the West Coast of South Korea on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The North Korean boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line and failed to retreat after warning shots from the South Korean Navy were fired. The North Korean vessel then opened fire on the South Korean boat, and a fire fight ensued, reportedly resulting in the North Korean craft returning back across the border in flames after the South Korean craft returned their fire.
  7. Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan arrive at Phnom Penh international airport November 10, 2009. Chan is on a three-day mission to promote peace as part of the third ASEAN event series of "Bridges - Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace", initiated and facilitated by the International Peace Foundation.
  8. Australia's captain Ricky Ponting smiles as he warms up during a cricket training session in Mumbai November 10, 2009. Australia will play their seventh and last one-day international cricket match against India in Mumbai November 11.
  9. Australia's captain Ricky Ponting (R) speaks with team-mate Shaun Marsh during a cricket training session in Mumbai November 10, 2009. Australia will play their seventh and last one-day international cricket match against India in Mumbai November 11.
  10. German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, right, and Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay, left, speak to each other in Berlin, on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009.
  11. A pupil receives a H1N1 vaccine injection at a school in Shanghai November 10, 2009.
  12. Children playfully clean the floor by dragging each other on a cloth,at the Manjushree Vidhyapith orphanage, where Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is scheduled to visit Thursday, in the Himalayan town of Tawang, near the frontier with Chinese-controlled Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh state, India, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. China has protested the Tibetan spiritual leader's weeklong visit to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh that began Sunday after months of rising friction between India and China.
  13. Children playfully clean the floor by dragging each other on a cloth,at the Manjushree Vidhyapith orphanage, where Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is scheduled to visit Thursday, in the Himalayan town of Tawang, near the frontier with Chinese-controlled Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh state, India, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. China has protested the Tibetan spiritual leader's weeklong visit to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh that began Sunday after months of rising friction between India and China.
  14. Dominican Republic's Lisvel Elisa Eve Mejia pushes the ball against Brazil's Marianne Steinbrecher during their women's volleyball match of the World Grand Champions Cup 2009 in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Brazil won 25-23, 25-16, 25-17.
  15. A Buddhist devotee attends a teaching session held by Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, unseen, in the Himalayan town of Tawang, near the frontier with Chinese-controlled Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh state, India, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. China has protested the Tibetan spiritual leader's weeklong visit to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh that began Sunday after months of rising friction between India and China.
  16. A South Korean man watches a television screen showing file footage of South Korean sailors in a clash in 2002 with North Korea navy near the disputed waters off South Korea's west coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. The two Koreas briefly exchanged naval fire Tuesday along their disputed western sea border, with a North Korean ship suffering heavy damage before retreating, South Korean military officials said. The letters on the screen read " South Korean warship shot at a North Korean navy ship which crossed the disputed sea border."