NASA study: human microbes may survive on Moon's south pole

A new NASA study published in Science Advances warns that microbes carried by astronauts could survive in the shadowed regions of the Moon's south pole, potentially contaminating the search for past life there and, later, on Mars. The research, which simulated conditions in three polar areas—the Nobile crater rim, the Connection Ridge, and the De Gerlache crater rim—identified "survival niches" ranging from the floor of a multi-kilometer crater to the footprint of a boot. Source: eldiado

Key findings

The study tested five microorganisms commonly found on human skin and inside spacecraft, including the fungus Aspergillus niger. This fungus proved the most resilient, remaining viable even in areas receiving some sunlight, despite UV radiation being used to sterilize hospitals. Source: mileniomx The researchers calculated how much heat and UV radiation each organism could withstand. Source: clarin

Implications

Carrying microbes to the Moon is inevitable: a patch of skin the size of a pencil eraser can harbor about a million bacteria. Source: mileniomx While robotic spacecraft can be baked at over 204°C to sterilize them, this is not possible with a crew on board. Source: eldiado The study emphasizes that survival means staying alive for at least one Earth day, not growing or reproducing, as the Moon lacks necessary conditions like liquid water. Source: clarin

NASA plans to send its first crewed mission to the lunar surface in 2028, which will precede colonization efforts. Source: eldiado