NASA Study Finds Earth Microbes Could Survive on Moon's South Pole
NASA scientists have found that Earth-originating microbes, potentially carried by human explorers, could survive in the shaded regions of the Moon's South Pole. This discovery, published on August 19, 2026, in Science Advances, emphasizes the need for careful consideration of microbial persistence in future lunar missions.
The study, led by Saxena et al., utilized data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to model conditions such as UV radiation and temperature in the Moon's permanently shadowed regions. These areas, characterized by low UV exposure and cold temperatures, could allow common microbial cells to survive over time scales relevant to human exploration.
Previous research, including a NASA Technical Report titled "Moon: Handle With Care," has highlighted the scientific importance of preventing contamination of the Moon's pristine environments. The presence of Earth microbes could interfere with the study of indigenous lunar organics or volatiles, complicating future scientific investigations.