This research showed the moss could survive brief exposure to Mars like conditions. To say it could grow on Mars is a huge leap. I hope we get there one day but for now it's just sensationalism.
this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2024
16 points (100.0% liked)
Space, the final frontier
69 readers
1 users here now
c/space Rules
- Submissions must be related to Space
- No sensationalist/ misleading/ unscientific content
- No spam
- No low-effort or meme images
founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
I’m going to go fully Red Mars here and say that just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. We need to study the red planet completely before we even think about contaminating it with biologicals.
Agree. Although, completely is a broad term. Someone will always have an excuse not to.
But we def need to ensure we have a 100% clear idea of no ecology. Plus a clear mapping and review of all geology.
But honestly. Before actual terraforming. We need the tech to build an artificial magnetic field. Anything else, honesty can only be generating atmosphere within enclosed environments. As plant and human life will not be successful in open air. And any atmosphere will need constant replacement.
This moss can apparently survive for a short time. So would be a huge help. As minor breaches will leave the moss able to produce oxygen. Def bloody useful in any form of colonisation.
And let's face it. Any true study of the planet. Will need people. Even if most is robotic, the distance from earth is such that having experts on the planet will make a huge difference. 6 to 44 mins for a round flight communication. While doable as we see. Cutting it to near 0 will really be essential for a full investigation. Even with way better AI then we have now.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Syntrichia caninervis is type of moss usually found in remote and harsh environments on Earth, such an Antarctica or the Mojave desert in the US.
But now, scientists have discovered that it can survive Mars-like-conditions including drought, high levels of radiation and extreme cold.
Researchers in China said the desert moss not only survived but rapidly recovered from almost complete loss of water.Prof Stuart McDaniel, who wasn't part of the study but is an expert on moss at the University of Florida, said: “This paper is exciting because it shows that desert moss survives short exposures to some of the stresses that are likely to be found on a trip to Mars, including very high levels of radiation, very cold temperatures, and very low oxygen levels.”
Scientists think the experiment with the moss is an encouraging step towards humans eventually growing plants on the Martian surface.
It's hoped that in the future the moss can be brought to the Moon or Mars to test its growth away from Earth.
He said: "this lowly desert moss offers hope for making small portions of Mars habitable for humankind in the future.”
The original article contains 280 words, the summary contains 189 words. Saved 32%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!
I have wondered why we haven't just started trying to populate/pollute Mars with some kind of giga-greenhouse dropped from space and plastic grocery bags.