Searching for life in alien oceans may be more difficult than scientists previously thought, even when we can sample these extraterrestrial waters directly.

Scientists studying Saturn's icy moon, Enceladus, have discovered that its ocean forms layers that slow the upward movement of life’s chemical signatures. If microbial life exists in Enceladus’ deep sea,

Alien lifeforms living in oceans on other planets could remain hidden from spacecraft, suggests new research.