How earthly microbes on the moon might survive in the shade
Microbes on the moon that hitch a ride on human astronauts could survive by using little nooks and crannies for protection from the harsh environment. The post How earthly microbes on the moon might survive in the shade first appeared on EarthSky .
A new NASA study suggests that microbes that travel with future Artemis astronauts could potentially survive on the moon, hidden in shadowed regions near the lunar south pole. These microscopic organisms, carried on human bodies and equipment, might endure in the harsh lunar environment by remaining dormant, rather than actively thriving.
The study, led by Prabal Saxena at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, analyzed the resilience of various microbes to the moon’s extreme conditions, such as intense UV radiation, extreme temperatures, vacuum, and abrasive lunar dust. While the microbes would likely not grow in these shadowed niches, they could still survive for a time, providing valuable insights for future lunar missions.
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