Study Finds Earth Microbes Survive 7 Days in Lunar Polar Shadows
Updated
Updated · 404 Media · Aug 20
Study Finds Earth Microbes Survive 7 Days in Lunar Polar Shadows
3 articles · Updated · 404 Media · Aug 20
Summary
Science Advances researchers found significant areas near the Moon’s south pole could let Earth microbes persist for at least a week, challenging assumptions that the lunar surface is uniformly lethal.
NASA-led modeling of candidate Artemis landing zones used Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data and survival limits for common spacecraft bacteria and fungi, showing permanently shadowed terrain shields them from harsh ultraviolet radiation.
Aspergillus emerged as the hardiest organism, surviving up to 7 Earth days in parts of Nobile Rim and Connecting Ridge by entering a dormant cryptobiotic state rather than growing.
The finding raises contamination and crew-health concerns for planned 2030s missions by the Artemis program and a Chinese-Russian partnership targeting the ice-rich lunar south pole.
Researchers said the work also leaves open the possibility that meteorite exchange has already carried Earth microbes to the Moon, making some polar regions a new planetary-protection concern.