tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post6302948159863172593..comments2024-03-28T18:32:05.933-04:00Comments on bensozia: Understanding Europa by Analogy to AntarcticaJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-40483017718359402682011-11-17T21:04:49.245-05:002011-11-17T21:04:49.245-05:00Yes, I worry about this, too. It seems likely to m...Yes, I worry about this, too. It seems likely to me that any Europan life would be well enough adapted to its own world to fend off life from earth, but what if earth bacteria are tougher? That would be a tragedy.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-57311213738285769532011-11-17T20:45:05.964-05:002011-11-17T20:45:05.964-05:00hopefully if (or possibly when) we send a probe to...hopefully if (or possibly when) we send a probe to europa, we take into account the sticky issue of *bringing* life to europa in the form of microbes. studies have repeatedly revealed the astounding capabilities of various bacteria to survive not just minutes, but years in space.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11039206" rel="nofollow">one study</a> shows a 553-day life of beer bacteria in space. granted, the trip to jupiter is a bit longer than 553 days, but the concern remains that we could at least taint our own measurements, and possibly taint the ecosystems we intend to sample. just because it's distant doesn't mean it isn't fragile. in a word, i want to be certain when i'm stoked that we've found extraterrestrials.leifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097320643676830221noreply@blogger.com