Water found on one of Saturn's Moons

It's almost 1300-million kilometres from earth but scientists believe they have discovered evidence of water on one of Saturn's icy moons -- rekindling hope in the existence of life outside planet Earth.

The surprising discovery, made by the Cassini spacecraft, shows evidence of liquid water reservoirs that erupt from geysers (natural hot-springs) on Saturn's moon Enceladus.

"High-resolution Cassini images show icy jets and towering plumes ejecting large quantities of particles at high speed," a NASA press release stated Thursday.

Carolyn Porco, Cassini's imaging team leader said Thursday that the discovery was a "smoking gun" that proved water existed on the planet.

"We realize that this is a radical conclusion – that we may have evidence for liquid water within a body so small and so cold," Porco said.

"However, if we are right, we have significantly broadened the diversity of solar system environments where we might possibly have conditions suitable for living organisms."

Scientists examined reasons for the eruptions and concluded that it could be coming from liquid water reserves.

"The jets might be erupting from near-surface pockets of liquid water about 0 degrees Celsius," the report said.