Earth microbes may survive on Moon's surface

NASA scientists have determined that some Earth microbes are capable of surviving on the Moon's surface.

Consensus

Some Earth microbes can survive on the Moon's surface.
The polar regions of the Moon offer more favorable conditions for microbial survival due to lower temperatures and reduced ultraviolet exposure.
Microbes could survive in a state of anabiosis, without active growth or reproduction.
Shadowed areas such as those under craters or created by footprints or rover wheels can provide protective environments.
Human missions, such as NASA's Artemis III, risk contaminating the Moon with Earth microbes.
The presence of Earth microbes could lead to false detection of native lunar life if organic material is later found.
The findings are based on analysis of three bacterial and two fungal species known to be present on manned space missions.
The research was published in the journal Science Advances.

Ancient cosmic impacts may have ejected Earth rocks containing microbes to the Moon, and the Moon may act as a 'cold storage' for Earth's past biological evidence. — gazeta_spb
Aspergillus fungi are particularly resilient to lunar conditions. — riamo
Researchers recommend collecting organic samples during the first extravehicular activity to minimize contamination risk. — riamo