NASA 研究警告地球微生物可能在月球上存活
NASA Study Warns of Earth Microbes Surviving on the Moon
Updated at: August 20, 2026 at 04:00 AM
數十年來，我們一直將月球視為一個完全無菌、死寂的環境。
For decades, we viewed the Moon as a completely sterile, dead environment.
然而，2026年8月19日發表在《科學前緣》期刊上的一項開創性研究顯示，地球微生物的存活時間可能比我們原先預想的還要長。
However, a groundbreaking study published in Science Advances on August 19, 2026, suggests that Earth microbes might survive longer than we once thought.
研究人員發現，具備韌性的細菌和真菌，例如芽孢桿菌與麴菌，可能潛伏在月球的「避難所」中——即靠近南極、能保護它們免受強烈輻射與極端溫度影響的陰影區。
Researchers identified that resilient bacteria and fungi, such as Bacillus and Aspergillus, could potentially linger in lunar 'refuges'—shaded areas near the south pole that protect them from harsh radiation and extreme temperatures.
雖然這些微生物無法在月球上生長或繁殖，但它們能以休眠、類似孢子的狀態存活。
While these microorganisms cannot grow or reproduce on the Moon, they could persist in a dormant, spore-like state.
這項發現對「阿提米絲計畫」至關重要，因為該計畫將月球南極鎖定為水冰資源的目標。
This finding is crucial for the Artemis program, which targets the lunar south pole for its water ice.
隨著人類探索活動加劇，「前向汙染」的風險成為主要隱憂。
As human exploration intensifies, the risk of 'forward contamination' becomes a major concern.
美國國家航空暨太空總署(NASA)的行星保護辦公室目前面臨挑戰，必須保持月球環境清潔，以確保我們不會將這些地球的「搭便車客」誤認為是原生化學反應的跡象。
NASA’s Planetary Protection Office now faces the challenge of keeping the lunar environment clean to ensure we don't confuse Earth hitchhikers with potential signs of indigenous chemistry.
最終，這些研究結果將月球轉變為一座天然實驗室，為科學家提供難得的機會來研究生命在極端條件下的耐受力，同時也強調了在我們邁向永久定居之際，實施嚴格滅菌措施的必要性。
Ultimately, these findings transform the Moon into a natural laboratory, offering scientists a rare chance to study the endurance of life in extreme conditions, while emphasizing the need for strict sterilization as we aim for permanent settlement.
