In Chinese mythology and legend, Chang'e is the woman who ran to the moon, and she lived in isolation from the world with the Jade Rabbit in the Guanghan Palace. However, when we really set foot on the mysterious land of the moon, we found that there was no Guanghan Palace, no Jade Rabbit, and no trace of Chang'e. However, on the surface of the moon, we find an unknown creature - the water bear.
1. The legend of Chang'e and the truth of the moon
The story of Chang'e is a household name in China, and her beauty, her loneliness, and her love story with Hou Yi have all become the basis for people's imagination of the moon. In that barren, cold, lifeless world, people always hope that there is a beautiful fairy who can add a touch of warmth and life to the land.
However, the real Moon is very different from what we imagined. There is no Guanghan Palace, no Jade Rabbit, and no Chang'e's shadow. It was a cold, barren world, with only endless silence and dust. But that doesn't mean there aren't traces of life on the moon.
2. Water bears: real inhabitants of the moon
Water bears, one of the most tenacious creatures on Earth, also have their presence on the moon. How did these tiny creatures end up on the moon? It all started with the human moon landing program.
In the late 60s and early 70s of the 20th century, the Apollo program of the United States and the lunar program of the Soviet Union carried out a total of 7 manned missions to the moon. And in these missions, due to technical limitations and unexpected circumstances, some landers did not succeed in returning to Earth. This means that the tardigrades on the lander are also left on the moon.
3. The mystery of the survival of tardigrades on the moon
Water bears are a very special creature, and they are considered to be one of the most tenacious creatures on the planet. These tiny organisms are able to survive in extreme environments, such as high temperatures, low temperatures, high radiation, and vacuums. This means that they are more than capable of surviving and reproducing on the moon.
On Earth, tardigrades can reproduce through spores, which means they don't need male germ cells to reproduce offspring. And on the Moon, due to the lack of atmosphere and water, water bears must survive the harsh environment by dormant. When they are dormant, they can survive for a long time without dying.
4. From the Earth to the Moon, the Miracle of Life
The presence of water bears on the moon has given us new thoughts on the definition of life. Life doesn't necessarily need abundant water and oxygen, nor does it necessarily need a mild climate. As long as there is tenacity and vitality, any place can become the stage of life.
At the same time, it also raises our thinking about the existence of life in the universe. If tardigrades can survive in extreme environments like the Moon, it is possible that similar life forms could exist on other planets. This provides us with new ideas and directions for exploring life in the universe.
5. The Future of Exploration and Discovery
With the advancement of science and technology, human exploration of the universe will be more in-depth. Perhaps one day, we will discover more unknown life forms and break our preconceived notions of life. The presence of tardigrades on the moon may be the starting point of this journey of exploration and discovery.
6. Conclusion and interactive questions
The tardigrades on the moon may be the most inconspicuous of our expeditions, but they are a testament to their vitality and resilience. How do you feel in the face of such a miracle? Please leave a message in the comment area below to share your thoughts! Let's inject more imagination and passion into the future exploration journey together!