Study Shows Earth Microbes Could Persist in Moon’s Shadowed South-Pole Niches
NASA researchers report that certain Earth microbes may remain alive in cold, shadowed spots near the lunar south pole, complicating future scientific investigations.
NASA scientists have identified potential refuges where Earth-origin microbes could stay alive on the Moon’s south-pole terrain, based on simulations of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and shadowing in locations like Nobile Rim, Connecting Ridge and De Gerlache Rim. Among the five species examined, the fungus Aspergillus niger showed the greatest resistance to UV light, allowing it to persist even where limited sunlight reaches.
Researchers note that survival does not equate to growth, as the Moon lacks liquid water and an atmosphere. Nevertheless, the presence of such hitchhikers could blur the line between pristine lunar chemistry and human-introduced material, complicating both lunar science and future Mars life-search missions. Lead author Prabal Saxena described the finding as unsettling yet an opportunity for controlled experiments, while co-authors Andrew Needham and Aaron Regberg emphasized establishing contamination baselines before building long-term lunar bases.
Why it matters
Microbial contamination could obscure the Moon’s natural chemistry and affect future searches for life on other planets.
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