Habitability of natural satellites

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The habitability of natural satellites is the potential of moons to provide habitats for life. Natural satellites are expected to outnumber planets by a large margin and the study of their habitability is therefore important to astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life. Planetary mass, atmosphere, and geology are all important factors but there are significant environmental variables specific to moons. All planetary mass moons of the Solar System are tidally locked, the most significant difference in comparison to the planetary habitability of bodies that have "cleared their neighbourhood." They also tend to have more surface area relative to volume, thus dissipating heat and atmosphere quickly, as well as orbital resonances with other moons that stabilize their orbits but can lead to a stasis inimical to natural selection. With a surficial solvent, thick atmosphere, and dominant size over satellite companions within the Saturnian system, Titan best meets the known habitability...

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