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MIT researchers, led by Professor Sarah Seeger, have conducted laboratory experiments that have confirmed that microorganisms can survive and multiply in hydrogen-rich atmospheres. The discovery is important for the search for life on exoplanets because such atmospheres are lighter and more persistent, making them easier to detect with modern telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
The study used two model organisms: the bacteria Escherichia coli and yeast. They were placed in flasks of culture medium filled with 100% hydrogen gas. The researchers monitored their growth for 80 hours, observing stable survival and reproduction.
The researchers note that their work does not prove that these organisms can use hydrogen as a source of energy, but only confirms that such an atmosphere is not lethal to them. This opens up new opportunities for astronomers, who can focus their efforts on searching for hydrogen-rich exoplanets as potentially habitable.
Because hydrogen is much lighter than nitrogen and oxygen, such planets would have more extended atmospheres, making them easier to detect with telescopes. Seager suggests that such planets could have hydrogen-rich minerals and even oceans, making them similar to Earth, although their conditions would be different.
MIT researchers, led by Professor Sarah Seeger, have conducted laboratory experiments that have confirmed that microorganisms can survive and multiply in hydrogen-rich atmospheres. The discovery is important for the search for life on exoplanets because such atmospheres are lighter and more persistent, making them easier to detect with modern telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
The study used two model organisms: the bacteria Escherichia coli and yeast. They were placed in flasks of culture medium filled with 100% hydrogen gas. The researchers monitored their growth for 80 hours, observing stable survival and reproduction.
The researchers note that their work does not prove that these organisms can use hydrogen as a source of energy, but only confirms that such an atmosphere is not lethal to them. This opens up new opportunities for astronomers, who can focus their efforts on searching for hydrogen-rich exoplanets as potentially habitable.
Because hydrogen is much lighter than nitrogen and oxygen, such planets would have more extended atmospheres, making them easier to detect with telescopes. Seager suggests that such planets could have hydrogen-rich minerals and even oceans, making them similar to Earth, although their conditions would be different.
