A barrage of radiation couldn’t kill this hardy life-form

The finding calls into question a long-held belief about habitability on certain exoplanets

A photo of the lichen C. lacinulatum

The type of lichen that survived the radiation blast, called Clavascidium lacinulatum, is commonly found in dry environments.

Henry Sun

An unassuming lichen harbors a hidden superpower: It’s remarkably resistant to ultraviolet radiation.