Scientists: Arctic Bacteria Could Be Key to Understanding How Life on Mars Could Exist

Some parts of Earth might as well be an alien planet

Scientists say a newly discovered form of life found living in subzero temperatures of –15 Celsius may resemble life living underground on Mars.

Bacteria found living in the permafrost of the High Arctic seem to thrive in an environment long thought to be nearly inhospitable to all forms of life. However, it now seems that a Canadian-led team of researchers from McGill University have uncovered a new microbe, Planococcus halocryophilus, capable of reproducing at a record-setting temperature of –15 Celsius.