Human-related microbes may survive moon's South Pole
Some of Earth's microbes likely to hitch a ride to space with human explorers could survive in the shaded nooks and crannies of the moon's South Pole region, NASA scientists say.
NASA scientists have discovered that some Earth microbes may survive in the shaded and cold regions of the moon's South Pole. These findings, published in the journal Science Advances, raise concerns about contamination during human exploration of the lunar surface. As humans venture to the moon, their microbes may hitch a ride and survive in the region's extreme environment, making it difficult to distinguish between ancient lunar chemistry and human-induced contamination.
This issue extends to Mars as well. The study identified five resilient microbes, including Aspergillus niger, a fungus known for its ability to withstand harsh conditions. These microbes were tested in simulations of three lunar regions near the South Pole, revealing that they could survive in areas with both sunlight and shadow.
Understanding microbial survival on the moon is crucial for maintaining the integrity of future scientific investigations and ensuring that any signs of life discovered are not contaminated with Earth-born organisms.
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