Scientists from NASA’s Astrobiology Institute have discovered living microorganisms (most of them bacteria) trapped inside crystals for as long as 60,000 years.
These were found in a Naica mine in Mexico.
These ancient microbes have evolved so they can survive on a diet of sulphite, manganese and copper oxide.
The discovery has caused concern for astrobiologists about bringing back samples collected on space missions in the solar system as dangerous extraterrestrial organisms could accidentally enter into Earth on a returning spaceship.
Besides there is also risk that Earth organisms could contaminate other planets in the course of missions.
Bacteria: Know More- Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms.
- Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals.
- Scientific name: Bacteria
- Rank: Domain
