The authors find that terrestrial bacteria survive Martian-like conditions better if covered with dust, so the frigid arid Martian surface still looks promising on a few notes.SEE:http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/...910.4830v1.pdf

__________________
A third rate theory forbids.
A second rate theory explains after the fact.
A first rate theory predicts.
A. Lomonosov

Neat, thanks Pete!

I suspect it shan't be long before it is found such bacteria and spores can survive in interstellar dust for extremely long periods.

Somehow gives new meaning to "dust to dust" ...

__________________
"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

You're welcome A.DIM. Spores are tougher than seeds. It wouldn't surprise me if they find some simple lifeforms on Mars. Kind of looking forward to it. pete

__________________
A third rate theory forbids.
A second rate theory explains after the fact.
A first rate theory predicts.
A. Lomonosov

"In Martian environment, UV light appears to have the most cytocidal effect, while atmospheric gases or temperature are not relevant to the survival of cells or spores. Vegetative cells are inactivated by UV light in a few minutes, while spores may survive for hours. Two of our Bacillus strains, B. pumilus and B. Nealsonii, have a particular capability to survive in Martian conditions without being screened by dust or other shields. As endospores suspension, they survive at least 4 hours and in some cases up to 28 hours in Martian conditions."

So they survive no more than 28 hours and it is UV that kills them... that would seem consistent with what we can expect from the likely fate of organisms that find themselves in space.

__________________
plenty of woo, at the hotel hoagaland...