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chippy
I read through this twice and did not find out why they were launching the balloons with bacteria. I found out why the balloons were there - with cameras attached. But nothing about the eclipse and bacteria.
sndean
As far as I can tell, they're just using the balloon to do two experiments at once. Don't see any relationship between the bacteria and the eclipse.
ramjamrodeo
Is the reduced light (and I'm assuming radiation) part of the Mars-like conditions?
sndean
Perhaps, but AFAIK, in bacterial systems that are light-inducible you need continuous illumination of a certain wavelength to have an effect. Which the eclipse wouldn't provide. But I don't know enough about the species mention in the article.

Just from the species name I'm guessing it can survive really high temps.

rdiddly
Agreed - plenty of info on "Why NASA Is Launching Massive Balloons of Bacteria" but not a word about "During the Eclipse." Is it just for the pictures?