The Moon is Habitable-Information Technology

Lunar soil can completely support life, not only primitive microorganisms, but also real trees, growing extremely strongly.

Shocking research from the University of Florida – USA used precious lunar soil samples brought back from NASA’s Apollo 11, 12 and 17 missions. According to Sci-News, the result is a lush green mini-garden exactly like it was planted with Earth’s soil.

This means that, with just a few suitable conditions, humans can grow comfortably on a future lunar base, because this celestial body is naturally set up to be suitable for life.

Close-up of the “land garden of the Moon” and the evolution of trees over the past 16 days – Photo: FLORIDA UNIVERSITY

“For longer space missions, we could also use the Moon as a hub or launch pad,” said Professor Rob Ferl, senior author of the study, in a statement. trying to prove that farming on the moon is not a fantasy.

What they add to the lunar soil in pots is also very basic: light, water, and fertilizer. They planted the seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant distributed in Eurasia and Africa.

A mixed soil that simulates the composition of the lunar, Martian soil and soil in the most extreme environments on Earth, JSC-1A, was also included in the study.

The results showed that all 4 pots germinated well. There are 3 very good growing pots: JCS-1A, Apollo 12, Apollo17. Apollo 11 pots grow a bit slow and wilt on day 16.

Scientists will use gene expression data to understand the stress response of plants growing in lunar soil, but for now they are celebrating with early evidence.

This is the first and clear ladder to the Moon’s habitability, and the possibility of growing plants directly on its soil is within reach – just a little bit of reclamation with water and fertilizer, like in dry areas. barren on Earth.

The study has just been published in the scientific journal Communications Biology.