Added 1 new A* page:Scientists grew plants in lunar soil for the first time; they only had 12 grams of moon dirt—collected by the Apollo missions—to work with, but their thale cress seeds managed to grow in the tiny samples.
The plants did end up somewhat stunted: "The longer the soil was exposed to punishing cosmic radiation and solar wind on the moon, the worse the plants seemed to do. The Apollo 11 samples — exposed a couple billion years longer to the elements because of the Sea of Tranquility's older surface — were the least conducive for growth."
Micrometeorite impacts on the lunar surface also spread particles of cooled molten glass throughout the soil, which might not help plant growth.
~~~~~~~~~
The original 16" x 6.75" watercolor art for today's new A* page is up for auction on eBay. : )
|
