There could be life on one of Jupiter's moons, if the scuttlebutt surrounding an announcement out of NASA this week is to be believed.
The agency is expected to reveal the discovery of a life-supporting ocean on the moon Europa next week, The Independent reports.
There has long been speculation of an ocean of water just beneath the surface of Europa and in March last year it was revealed Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede, also held a salty ocean beneath its surface with more water than Earth.
But Europa's ocean has scientists especially excited because of it is one of the best chances at finding alien life in our own solar system.
Scientists believe that if the liquid water found under the ocean’s icy shell had contact with the moon’s rocky mantle in the middle, a number of chemical reactions could have taken place, in turn spawning life.
An advisory from NASA’s media department confirms a teleconference will be held on September 26 on "evidence of surprising activity on Europa".
Astronomers are expected to present results from a viewing campaign of the moon.