Microscopic technique for detecting microbial life in Enceladus water plumes

A new study has demonstrated the potential to use digital holographic microscopy (DHM) to detect microorganisms and evidence of life in water collected from the plume rising from the surface of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. The cell detection capabilities of DHM and what may be learned from studying molecules obtained from Enceladus are discussed in articles published in the September issue of Astrobiology. These articles are part of a Special Collection on Enceladus that is available free on the Astrobiology website.