4 ms·

Can someone ELI5 the significance of this for non space scifi geeks ?

by arisAlexis 3y ago

VerminOctopus1 3y ago
Some fungi can survive the conditions of space, which is pretty incredible. I think that’s basically it.
- jancsika 3y ago
  > Some fungi can survive the conditions of space, which is pretty incredible. It is literally incredible, and the title is misleading. The fungi was in some kind of box that was filled with a lot of CO2, a little O2 and H2O, and other stuff to simulate the atmosphere on Mars. That box was then placed outside the space station. It wouldn't survive if it was just growing in space, outside the space station. Believe me, I'm outside of it right now and it is not going to be fun[1]. 1: I'm about to start doing my taxes-- blecch-- here on Earth, which is technically outside of the space station.
Sharlin 3y ago
If even some hardy Earth organisms can survive (the article doesn't say anything about it, but this was almost certainly survival in a dormant desiccated state rather than being metabolically active doing fungus things) Martian conditions, it slightly raises the odds that whatever microbial life Mars may have once hosted may still exist in protected, hard-to-reach spots – possibly hundreds of meters beneath the surface like a surprising amount of Earth life. It also slightly raises the odds that genetically modified fungi and lichen might be able to metabolize and grow on Mars at least if suitably protected, which may have implications on astronaut food and oxygen production as well as, much more speculatively, terraforming. Further, it has implications on planetary protection – the measures we take to avoid accidentally infesting other worlds with Earth life.
joshuamcginnis 3y ago
Lichens found in extreme environments on Earth (rocks in Antarctica) were sent to space and exposed to the elements. Some survived.
- dotancohen 3y ago
  ...and exposed to the lack of elements

Can someone ELI5 the significance of this for non space scifi geeks ?

VerminOctopus1 3y ago

Some fungi can survive the conditions of space, which is pretty incredible. I think that’s basically it.

jancsika 3y ago
> Some fungi can survive the conditions of space, which is pretty incredible. It is literally incredible, and the title is misleading. The fungi was in some kind of box that was filled with a lot of CO2, a little O2 and H2O, and other stuff to simulate the atmosphere on Mars. That box was then placed outside the space station. It wouldn't survive if it was just growing in space, outside the space station. Believe me, I'm outside of it right now and it is not going to be fun[1]. 1: I'm about to start doing my taxes-- blecch-- here on Earth, which is technically outside of the space station.

Sharlin 3y ago

If even some hardy Earth organisms can survive (the article doesn't say anything about it, but this was almost certainly survival in a dormant desiccated state rather than being metabolically active doing fungus things) Martian conditions, it slightly raises the odds that whatever microbial life Mars may have once hosted may still exist in protected, hard-to-reach spots – possibly hundreds of meters beneath the surface like a surprising amount of Earth life. It also slightly raises the odds that genetically modified fungi and lichen might be able to metabolize and grow on Mars at least if suitably protected, which may have implications on astronaut food and oxygen production as well as, much more speculatively, terraforming. Further, it has implications on planetary protection – the measures we take to avoid accidentally infesting other worlds with Earth life.

joshuamcginnis 3y ago

Lichens found in extreme environments on Earth (rocks in Antarctica) were sent to space and exposed to the elements. Some survived.

dotancohen 3y ago
...and exposed to the lack of elements