A bacterium called Desulforudis audaxviator was discovered in a South African gold mine 2.8km below sea level, feeding on uranium.
According to the Royal Society, who published the study on Science Alert, this could be similar to how aliens are surviving in space.
The bacteria had been surviving on sulphur and water molecules extracted from the rocks and were able to absorb the nutrients after they were broken down by radiation.
This has prompted scientists to believe that aliens could be thriving in areas of space previously believed to be too toxic to live in.
Dimitri Atri, the man who published the findings, says if Desulforudis audaxviator can feed of radioactive produce then aliens may be able to survive on cosmic radiation.
“It really grabbed my attention because it’s completely powered by radioactive substances,” Atri told Science Alert.
“Who’s to say life on other worlds doesn’t do the same thing?”
‘SUPER ALIENS’ are living in the darkest depths of space - STUDY
15 October 2016
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Scientists have claimed there could be life in the deepest realms of space and suggested the organisms could be living off deadly radioactive uranium.
