Extraterrestrial Bacterial Spores: Thriving on Jupiter and Saturn's Icy Moons
Bacterial spores, known for their resilience, may thrive in the frigid subsurface conditions of the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, according to recent research by NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. These spores, which can remain dormant for extended periods, have the ability to reactivate and replicate under favorable conditions. The study found that the spores were more viable at cryogenic temperatures, suggesting that they may persist in the extreme cold environments of these moons. While the likelihood of viable microorganisms on the surface of these moons is low due to radiation exposure, Saturn's moon Enceladus, with its low radiation levels and protective icy grains, may offer the best chance for bacterial spores to survive.