China Grew Cotton On the Far Side of the Moon [Science]
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CLEP/CNSA |
Last week, China landed the space probe Chang'e-4 on the far side of the Moon. It had a small canister that served as a miniature biosphere including water, soil, air, a heat control system and some specimens including cotton seeds, rapeseed, a potato, eggs of a fruit fly, and some yeast. The biosphere had two small cameras and a heat control system. When the probe touched down, the seeds were watered, and a few days later, a cotton seed sprouted.
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Chongqing University |
Unfortunately, the experiment ended quickly when the plant died.
Some were critical of China's claim that this was "the first green leaf growing on the moon in human history." As Melanie J. Correll (associate professor at the University of Florida's Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department) told NPR, "China has grown the first leaf in a specially designed chamber that was placed on the moon. [The] plants were not exposed to the extreme environments of the moon."
But even with all that, the temperature on the Moon fluctuated so wildly that the plants were killed. In the sun, the temperature on the Moon can reach 260 degrees Fahrenheit (127 degrees Celsius), and minus 280 F (minus 173 C) in the shade. The miniature biosphere wasn't able to compensate for that.
Still, it was a step in the right direction. Here's hoping for more.
What did you think? Was this a boon or a bust? Let us know in the comments!
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