Space Lichens 250
moon_monkey writes "According to a report lichens - a composite of algae and fungi - can survive in space for up to two weeks. An experiment carried out by the European Space Agency saw two species of lichen carried into orbit and then exposed to the vacuum of space for nearly 15 days. These are the most complex form of life now known to have survived prolonged exposure to space. The experiment adds weight to the theory of panspermia - that life could somehow be transported between planets."
At least two weeks, not up to. (Score:4, Insightful)
No, "At *least* two weeks". They were exposed for 15 days and were unchanged.
Lichen and spores are sure durable; I wouldn't be surprised if they could survive basically indefinitely in a cold vacuum.
If it can survive 2 weeks in the vacuum of space.. (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:They needed space to test a vacuum? (Score:5, Insightful)
* Vaccuum. (Of course.)
* Assorted forms of radiation.
* Zero gravity.
* Extremes of temperature.
Those conditions tend not to support life from Earth, and so to see that lichen can indeed survive in space, if only for a short time, is astounding. Not only does this add weight to the panspermia theory, but it also could stand to change our take on the 'qualifications' for a habitable environment completely, raising questions such as, "Could it be possible for more complex organisms to actually thrive in space?"
I for one welcome our moldy overlords.
Re:Feasibility of Panspermia (Score:4, Insightful)
What I've never understood about that theory, though, is how the life forms got off their home planet and onto an interstellar-bound rock.
composite!!?? COMPOSITE??!!!!!! (Score:2, Insightful)
Alien weapon systems (Score:3, Insightful)
Also, we can't forget that it could have been on pieces of the ringworld from Halo.
Two weeks is nothing (Score:5, Insightful)
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast01se
Re:panspermia (Score:3, Insightful)
Solution: A gun with nearly unlimited ammo. (Score:4, Insightful)