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Space Oddity: Bacteria Could Survive a Cosmic Journey Between Earth and Mars Unprotected
News 18Scientists have found a radiation-resistant bacteria can survive at least three years exposed in orbit, suggesting simple life forms could manage the long journey between Earth and Mars unprotected. The Japanese scientists behind the research said Wednesday the finding lends credence to so-called “panspermia theory”, which posits that microbes can travel from one planet to another, seeding life on arrival. “Everyone thinks the origin of life started on Earth, but the new findings indicate that other planets could also be where life began.” Yamagishi and his team hope to carry out similar experiments outside the Van Allen radiation belt, which would expose the bacteria to even more radiation. Scientists believe that more than three billion years ago Mars was much warmer than today and was covered in rivers and lakes, conditions which could have led to simple microbial life.
History of this topic
Bacteria living in space evolve to survive extreme conditions
The Independent
NASA finds new mutant bacteria in SPACE
Daily Mail
Sneaky New Bacteria on the ISS Could Build a Future on Mars
Wired)
We have telescopes in space, rovers on other worlds – our search for alien life continues
Firstpost)
Terrestrial microbes could survive briefly on Mars, be a food source for astronauts: Study
Firstpost
Life from Earth could survive on Mars, finds Nasa study
The Independent)
How This Bacteria Survived Outside the ISS for a Year Despite Exposure to Vacuum and Microgravity
News 18
Bacteria from Earth can survive in space, study says
CNN)
Scientists find microbial life on deep sea rocks; discovery offers hope of finding life on Mars
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