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What's Up with Arsenic in Deep Space?
For Immediate Release
December 02, 2010
Contact
Mat Kaplan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1-626-793-5100
NASA's announcement today of the discovery of bacteria from Mono Lake, California, that can use arsenic in its body instead of being poisoned by it, is significant to the search for life on other worlds. Not only do these organisms live in an extreme environment -- but they are also an extreme life form.
If we can find such an extreme combination on Earth, what may have evolved in alien environments elsewhere?
Bill Nye, the Planetary Society's Executive Director, said:
"If you or I ingest arsenic, well... it doesn't go so well. So, if we can discover arsenic-loving bacteria right under our noses in such a well-researched place as Mono Lake, who knows what else is out there, on our world or somewhere far, far away?"
Read more from Bill in "Arsenic and Deep Space?" on our website.
Bill and other representatives of the Planetary Society are available today for interviews.
About The Planetary Society
The Planetary Society is the world's largest and most influential space interest organization. Founded in 1980 by astronomer Carl Sagan with Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit is led today by CEO Jenn Vaughn and championed by Chief Ambassador Bill Nye. Members and donors fund programs in science and technology, public outreach, and advocacy. This work advances the exploration of space, the search for life beyond Earth, and the defense of our planet from dangerous asteroids and comets. Learn more at planetary.org.
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