Meet Conan the Bacterium: Ancient Species Could Be Slumbering Beneath Mars’ Surface

Billions of years ago, Mars may have been teeming with life. But these days, with its dry, arid landscape, ionizing radiation, and temperatures averaging negative 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the red planet is no longer habitable. However, a new paper published in Astrobiology suggests a certain type of bacteria might have endured the planet’s harsh environment for millions of years by lying dormant beneath the surface. And this particular species has a special nickname that hints at its perseverance: Conan the Bacterium. Although scientists have yet to find evidence of life on Mars, this latest research indicates they might have a better chance of doing so than previously thought. Researchers simulated Mars’ conditions in a lab, then introduced six types of Earth-dwelling bacteria and fungi to determine how long the microbes could survive, CNN reported. They found that — if buried and shielded from radiation and solar particles — some bacteria could hold out for 280 million years. The unexpected insight suggests that if life did exist on Mars, the evidence might still be there. Conan the Bacterium, a microbe whose Latin name, Deinococcus radiodurans, roughly translates to “strange berry that withstands radiation,” seems particularly well-suited to survive. According to the outlet, the bacteria can persist under severe conditions, including dehydration, acid exposure, and extreme cold.

Behind the Name