The Dark Side of Space Exploration: How We're Contaminating the Moon The moon was once considered a pristine and inhospitable environment, but it's now clear that Earth's microbial menagerie has invaded its surface.
A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that certain microorganisms can survive on the lunar surface with surprising ease, challenging our assumptions about life beyond Earth.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center discovered that well shaded pockets near the lunar poles provide a haven for extremophile bacteria and fungi.