NASA Maps Lunar South Pole Microbe Niches, Finds Aspergillus Survives 7 Days
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Aug 22
NASA Maps Lunar South Pole Microbe Niches, Finds Aspergillus Survives 7 Days
3 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Aug 22
Summary
A NASA-led study identified small lunar south-pole patches where Earth microbes could remain viable for at least one day and, in some cases, up to seven days after arrival.
Aspergillus niger emerged as the most persistent candidate because its spores showed the highest modeled ultraviolet tolerance, with a published UV-C LD90 of 1,038 joules per square metre versus 660 for Deinococcus radiodurans.
Three candidate exploration regions—Nobile Rim, Connecting Ridge and De Gerlache Rim—were mapped using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter topography, temperature data and ray-traced sunlight, showing shadows from ridges, rocks or even boot prints could create shelters.
The study did not expose living microbes on the Moon or suggest they could grow there; it modeled dormant survival only, with real dust, vacuum, radiation and temperature cycling still able to change outcomes.
That matters for Artemis-era contamination control: surviving Earth microbes or fragments in cold, shaded terrain could confuse future searches for ancient lunar ice, organics and other scientific records.