Detecting bacteria at incredible depths, raising hope for life in Mars

Scientists have found bacteria living in incredible depths in the ground, raising hope that there is life on Mars in the same harsh environment.

In the Iberian Peninsula, in the southern tip of Spain, scientists have found bacteria that live up to 2,000 feet deep (600m) . The terrestrial climate in this region is extremely harsh, so having bacteria living at the depth of the above makes scientists hope that it exists.

The image shows a cyanobacteria "community" that lives at a depth of 600m underground - (Photo: Daily Mail).

Typically, small cyanobacteria survive on photosynthesis with energy from sunlight. However, these creatures are found "thriving" in natural conditions quite similar to Mars.

Dr. Fernando Puente-Sancheza, of the Spanish National Center for Biotechnology, who led the study, said if the bacteria could exist in the Iberian Peninsula, they could live well on condition. on Mars.

"The underground is a good place to live, if you are a living creature on Mars. On the surface of Mars, the atmosphere is so thin that you will be exposed to too much solar radiation and cannot However, just a few meters deep in the ground is protected from radiation, the area is a very stable living environment , " said Puente-Sancheza.

Cyanobacteria appear to be strongly adaptive everywhere, before we knew they lived in the desert, under the ocean and on the ISS. However, no one has discovered that they can live deep in the earth, where the climate is very harsh.

With their unique genetic structure, scientists believe that cyanobacteria can fully adapt and live on Mars, if the planet still exists.