Ancient Sleeping Bacteria from Mars Survived for 280M Years—Will it Contaminate the Earth?

A new study suggests that there might be a life form on Mars that will arrive at the home planet when the samples from the Red planet arrive soon. However, it is in the form of an ancient sleeping bacteria and other microorganisms that lie dormant on Mars, with a chance to awaken from its 280 million years slumber once it arrives on Earth.

NASA, ESA, and other space agencies would soon get their Mars sample returns in the coming years, and this study issues a precaution for the future of the space venture.

Ancient Sleeping Bacteria on Mars? Surviving 280M Years

Researchers have published a study via the Astrobiology journal regarding a possibility of an ancient sleeping bacteria that may have survived 280 million years on the planet, lying dormant all these years. The researchers said that it may be present on sample returns that will arrive on the planet for further study, something that may wake it up and cause unknown problems.

Pathologists and the National Academies Committee on Planetary Protection give this word of caution to all researchers, as they would be studying these samples firsthand.

According to a press statement regarding the study, Mars has harsh ionizing radiation that may put bacteria or fungi to sleep, but not necessarily kill or destroy them. With these, they may only be asleep, only to wake up when exposed to a new environment.

Study Advise NASA, ESA on Mars Sample Return

According to Interesting Engineering, NASA, the ESA, and other space agencies who have stakes in the Mars Sample Return mission would receive the Martian materials by 2030. This study is a word of caution for them, especially regarding these microorganisms that might bring contamination to the planet, which may be left unseen.

Mars Studies, Ventures Now

As the rock legend and popular 70s pop culture icon, David Bowie once said, "Is there life on Mars?" is also the question that modern science and astronomy are looking for, especially with current missions directed at finding that out.

One of the many studies of NASA that is focusing on the Red planet is the "Mars Life Explorer," a device that will dig on its surface to uncover signs of life or other organisms that were present before. There are multiple theories that there are present life forms on Mars thousands or millions of years ago, something which NASA aims to discover.

Another focus of many studies on Mars now is the possibility that the planet is habitable, and that question is something that astronomers are trying to find out, especially with future missions toward the planet. It is a massive focus by researchers now, especially as plans to visit the planet to test its conditions are a part of ventures for the coming times.

Studying Mars includes the need to get samples and other concrete data from the planet to discover different things that may give them information as to how the planet is, not only to know its life forms. However, agencies need to be careful once they do so, especially as it may contain unknown bacteria that the Earth may not be well adept at fighting.

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Written by Isaiah Richard