Scientists are optimistic about discovering life on Moon

Washington: NASA's planetary scientist at the Goddard Spaceflight Center, Prabal Saxena, expresses hope in finding signs of life on the moon.

Saxena suggests that there may be habitable niches for microbial life in the moon's harsh environments, including relatively protected areas on airless bodies.

While primarily focused on exploring where extraterrestrial life might exist in the outer reaches of our solar system, Saxena has recently joined a team investigating the lunar south pole.

The lunar south pole has garnered attention since NASA's announcement of the Artemis III mission, scheduled for a crewed landing in 2025, marking over 50 years since humans first set foot on the moon.

NASA has identified 13 potential landing sites for astronauts, with the lunar south pole holding particular interest.

The region contains ice inside craters, which could be mined for rocket fuel.

Some areas within these craters remain in constant darkness, shielding them from harmful solar radiation.

Recent research indicates the surprising resilience of microorganisms, such as the bacterium Deinococcus Radiodurans, to conditions similar to parts of the lunar surface.