The Hidden Ocean of Ariel - Tidal Forces and the Case for a Watery Past

Explore groundbreaking research suggesting that Uranus's moon Ariel may have once harbored a subsurface ocean over 170 kilometers deep in this 41-minute SETI Live episode. Join host Beth Johnson and researchers Caleb Strom from the University of North Dakota and Alex Pathoff from the Planetary Science Institute as they discuss new evidence derived from geological mapping and tidal-stress modeling that reveals how ancient fractures and ridges on Ariel's surface indicate powerful internal forces and a dynamic, watery past. Discover how this research expands the growing family of "ocean worlds"—celestial bodies that may have once supported or could still support conditions for life. Learn about the implications of these findings for future exploration of the Uranus system and what scientists could potentially discover through direct missions to this intriguing moon. Gain insights into the methodologies used to analyze planetary surfaces and understand tidal forces, while exploring the broader context of astrobiology and the search for potentially habitable environments beyond Earth.