A future life on Mars could now be possible – and it’s all thanks to one little plant.
It’s no secret that life on Earth isn’t as hopeful as it used to be; with wars, climate change and confusing election debates daily.
But fear not, as there may be an out-of-this world solution, reports What’s The Jam.
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The exploration of colonising humanity on other planets has been studied before, with Mars often coming out on top as the most likely option.
Due to its thin atmosphere, composed of mostly carbon dioxide, with water often being turned into ice, there’s still a challenge for the survival of life.
Now, a study, conducted by The Innovation, has found a type of moss, known as syntrichia caninervis, which is able to grow in extreme conditions – similar to those on Mars.
The plant can be found in harsh environments, such as Tibet and Antarctica.
Researchers tested the moss over the course of five years and then again for 30 days at even more extreme temperatures.
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Their findings show that it has the ability to survive in conditions as cold as -196 degrees celsius, as well as severely dry environments, with little-to-no water.
And it’s no competition for high levels of gamma radiation that would kill most other plants and forms of life.
“S. caninervis is a promising candidate pioneer plant for colonzing extraterrestrial environments, laying the foundation for building biologically sustainable human habitats beyond Earth,” the researchers said.
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“[it] can help drive the atmospheric, geological, and ecological processes required for other higher plants and animals while facilitating the creation of new habitable environments conducive to long-term human settlement.
“looking to the future, we expect that this promising moss could be brought to Mars or the Moon to further test the possibility of plant colonization and growth in outer space.”
To date, no forms of life have been detected on the planet.
But who knows, maybe this is the start of life outside Earth.
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