Mars Needs Bacteria
Posted by Andrew on November 2nd, 2009
In an interesting experiment to see how well terrestrial bacteria might survive on Mars, a group built their own Mars simulator.
From UniverseToday.com:
A team led by Giuseppe Galletta of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Padova simulated the conditions present on Mars, and then introduced several strains of bacteria into the simulator to record their survival rate.
So how did the experiment turn out?
The results – some of the strains of bacteria were shown to survive up to 28 hours under these conditions, an amazing feat given that there is nowhere on the surface of the Earth where the temperatures get this low or the ultraviolet radiation is as strong as on Mars.
We can all discuss this at the upcoming Carl Sagan Day: Carl Sagan Day Saturday November 7th
Bacteria Could Survive in Martian Soil | Universe Today
Originally from Arxiv and here
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