Lichen Can Survive in Space

[555]

Will cockroaches really be the last survivors on Earth? It don't look like it.

Lichen Can Survive in Space: Space Station Research Sheds Light On Origin of Life; Potential for Better Sunscreens

You can freeze it, thaw it, vacuum dry it and expose it to radiation, but still life survives. ESA's research on the International Space Station is giving credibility to theories that life came from outer space -- as well as helping to create better sunscreens.

In 2008 scientists sent the suitcase-sized Expose-E experiment package to the Space Station filled with organic compounds and living organisms to test their reaction to outer space.

When astronauts venture on a spacewalk, hours are spent preparing protective suits to survive the hostile conditions. No effort was made to protect the bacteria, seeds, lichen and algae attached to the outside of the Space Station, however.

"We are exploring the limits of life," explains ESA's René Demets.

Our atmosphere does a wonderful job of protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful UV rays and keeping temperatures relatively stable.

In contrast, the space samples endured the full power of the Sun's rays. The samples were insulated somewhat by the Space Station but still had to cope with temperatures changing from -12ºC to +40ºC over 200 times as they orbited Earth.

The samples returned to Earth in 2009 and the results have now been published in a special issue of the journal Astrobiology.

Lichen have proven to be tough cookies -- back on Earth, some species continue to grow normally.

René explains, "These organisms go into a dormant state waiting for better conditions to arrive."

The lichen have attracted interest from cosmetic companies. They can survive the full power of the Sun for 18 months, so knowing more could lead to new ingredients for sunscreen.

Living organisms surviving in open space supports the idea of 'panspermia' -- life spreading from one planet to another, or even between solar systems.

It seems possible that organisms could colonize planets by hitching rides on asteroids. ESA is probing this intriguing theory further on future Station missions with different samples.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0623145623.htm

[mete]

But will lichens survive nuclear radiation ? Cockroaches do quite well in radiation. Lichens are also used to monitor air pollution.

[jdm61]

Interesting, but the article is a bit misleading. The lichens are NOT surviving the Sun's full assault anymore than the astronauts are. Yes, much of our protection from the Sun's radiation comes from our atmosphere, but a fair bit of our protection also comes from our magnetosphere, just like our solar system is protected a fair bit from cosmic radiation by the Sun's heliosphere, (I think the is the correct term) Astronauts in interplanetary missions have a MUCH higher risk re solar radiation than those in near earth orbit. With that said, pretty amazing stuff about the lichens.

[czombie]

Water bears are still king.

[Bufford]

A very interesting concept indeed. I have marveled living things like the Boreal Forest and can't help but think that much of life is far older than this puny planet and has come from very far places of the farthest reaches of the universe, not unlike how seeds can travel vast oceans and sprout on distant shores. There is so much that we do not know about the workings of nature.

[xbxb]

Humm very interesting. Only problem I see here is that cockroaches love to eat lichen. So Im thinking the roaches win.