Surprising newfound ocean bacteria could aid search for alien life

Active vents from Earth's "Lost City" hydrothermal system could be similar to features found in the oceans of Europa and Enceladus.

In the deep waters of Earth's oceans, scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria flourishing in the plumes from submarine hot springs. 

Such hot springs likely also exist on oceanic worlds like Jupiter's moon Europa and the Saturn satellite Enceladus, so these observations sharpen our understanding of the forms alien life might take on those moons, astronomers say.