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Signs! A
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Yellowstone
National Park - Living Color
Location
of sign - Mammoth Hot Springs area trail at Yellowstone National
Park.
Photo
taken June 2008
Close-up
view of sign
Wide
view of sign
Text
of sign:
Living Color
Shimmering
in this hot spring is a living palette of color. Billions of
heat-loving microorganisms called "thermophiles" carpet
the
spring.
Finding
a Niche
As
you look at the spring patchwork of colors, you are looking at a
world of thermophiles. Many species flourish here, each in a
unique
niche created by subtle differences in the spring.
Temperatures
vary - spots too hot or tool cool for some are perfect for other
thermophiles.
Gases,
the most potent at the vent, are nutritious for some, but deadly for
others.
Swirling
water or calm pools create different living conditions.
The formation's miniature hills and valleys capture light and cast
shadows - habitats for sun or shade-loving thermophiles.
Spirulina
is just one of many thermophiles living at Mammoth Hot
Springs. When seen through a microscope, its spiral shape
is
easy
to detect.
Extraordinary
Life
You
are looking at billions of microorganisms living and prospering amid
gases and heat - conditions that are lethal to humans.
Some
scientists study these remarkable thermophiles and their hot springs
habitats to determine whether other worlds might support
life.
They are learning about the kinds of evidence to search for in their
quest to find life beyond Earth.
This
exhibit made possible by a generous grant to the Yellowstone Park Foundation
from NASA Astrobiology Institute and
Lockheed
Martin Space Operations.
Graphics
on the sign
In addition
to the text there is a picture of the Mammoth Hot Springs and a photo of
spirulina.
Please help us
out by submitting
a photo!
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