[astro-ph.EP]. Most lunar surface conditions are incredibly harsh for microbial survival. High ultraviolet radiation, temperatures, and energetic particle radiation limit survival over most unprotected lunar surfaces, particularly in equatorial regions where all previous crewed exploration occurred.
However, whether these harsh conditions are widespread at lunar poles has not been examined considering topographical effects. Here, we show that recent microorganism survivability data and lunar surface remote sensing reveal likely survivable niches in lunar polar regions.
Analysis of topography and latitude-driven surface conditions using remote sensing data and high-resolution illumination models indicates the lunar south pole possesses significant regions with persistent low temperatures and ultraviolet flux.
Comparing these conditions to survivability data of specific microorganisms, we find significant lunar polar areas likely possess surface conditions amenable to microbial survival. Our findings suggest lunar polar regions may be less hostile to microbial survival than previously assumed.
This does not encompass growth likelihood, but survival in a cryptobiotic state where growth would be possible if habitable conditions were present. Potential microbial survivability at lunar poles is particularly significant given many examined microbes will likely be transported to the Moon during crewed lunar south pole exploration planned in numerous near-term missions.
Thoughtfully planning exploration and tracking its impact is key to limiting and understanding potential unintended life transfer to the Moon.
Microbial survivability in the polar regions of the Moon. Top panels show the UV fluence over a 24 hour period in the polar regions of the Moon. Bottom panels show areas where each microbe may be able to survive based on corresponding limits related to the direct integrated UV fluence and maximum summer temperature (with PSRs, given in black, as survivable for all microbes under this scenario). (A) North pole enlarged region showing survivability for multiple microbes in the vicinity of larger permanently shadowed regions. (B) North pole enlarged region displaying survivability patterns for multiple microbe species interspersed with areas of lower survivability. (C) South pole enlarged region near the De Gerlache region showing survivability of multiple microbes surrounding the permanently shadowed region. (D) South pole enlarged region showing survivability patterns for either multiple microbe species or only Aspergillus interspersed in large area of lower survivability. White squares on the bottom panels show the Artemis III candidate regions. Round circles on each of the large panels show the 85° North or South. — [astro-ph.EP]
Microbial survival mechanisms and lunar surface conditions at Artemis III sites. (A) Maximum summer temperature map showing the thermal environment at the lunar south pole, with cooler temperatures (darker colors) providing more favorable conditions for microbial survival. (B) Survival mechanisms table showing key adaptations of the five examined microbes, including spore formation, UV-protective pigments, and DNA repair capabilities, that enable survival in harsh lunar conditions, as well as clean room prevalence, which makes transfer more plausible. (C) Number of microbial species surviving after one Earth day at Nobile Rim region, showing spatial distribution of survivability with up to 5 species surviving in the most favorable locations. Similar to figure 1, the larger the number includes all the species listed below the color. (D) Similar to (C), number of microbial species surviving after one Earth day at Connecting Ridge region, demonstrating areas where multiple species can survive simultaneously. (E) Aspergillus survivability duration map for Nobile Rim showing time periods (in days) that this most resilient species can survive, with maximum survival times of at least 7 days in optimal locations. (F) Similar to (E), Aspergillus survivability duration map for Connecting Ridge region, indicating extended survival periods with some areas supporting survival for 7+ days. — [astro-ph.EP]
Prabal Saxena, Stefano Bertone, Heather V. Graham, Natalie M. Curran, Aaron B. Regberg, Andrew Needham, D.E. (Betsy)Pugel, Noah E. Petro
Comments: 43 pages, 3 figures, 3 tables, Preprint of Science Advances published on Aug. 19, 2026
Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Populations and Evolution (q-bio.PE)
Cite as: arXiv:2608.24751 [astro-ph.EP](or arXiv:2608.24751v1 [astro-ph.EP] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.24751
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Journal reference: Science Advances, 9, eae0811 (2023)
Related DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aec0811
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Submission history
From: Prabal Saxena
[v1] Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:54:03 UTC (7,109 KB)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.24751
Astrobiology
