NASA announces 'big step forward' in finding life beyond Earth: Saturn's moon is our new best bet

NASA scientists announced new evidence suggesting that one of the ocean-bearing moons of Saturn has key elements to foster alien life beyond Earth and additional evidence to suggest that a moon orbiting Jupiter contains similar conditions hospitable to life.

According to papers published in the journal Science, the new data suggests a form of chemical energy that can feed organic life has been discovered on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Additionally, researchers revealed findings of new evidence suggesting plumes are erupting from Jupiter's moon Europa.

The discovery makes Enceladus the only place beyond Earth where scientists have found direct evidence of a possible energy source for life, according to the findings in the journal Science.

Enceladus "has nearly all of these ingredients for habitability," officials said of the discovery in a statement, making the moon the likely best bet for finding life beyond Earth.

Researchers cited the discovery of Ice plumes shooting into space from Enceladus containing hydrogen from hydrothermal vents. Scientists believe similar hydrothermal vents may have been the birthplace of life on Earth.

Check out images of the new discoveries:

Researchers cautioned that the evidence is more likely to suggest life at the scale of bacteria, rather than "giant squids."

NASA scientists hailed the new evidence as a "big step forward" toward establishing whether or not there is life beyond Earth. Scientists believe that oceans and water will be a key factor in fostering life beyond Earth.

Europa is one of the 67 moons that orbit Jupiter. Enceladus is the sixth largest moon orbiting Saturn. Both are hailed as "ocean worlds."

The Cassini spacecraft and the Hubble Space Telescope, which launched in 1990, both played key roles in the discovery.

(Reuters contributed to this report)