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A quasar more than 12 billion light-years away holds the largest reservoir of water ever found by astronomers: 140 trillion times the amount of all the oceans on Earth, orbiting a black hole 20 billion times larger than the Sun.
Think about the amount of water that fills all of Earth’s oceans. Now imagine that amount multiplied by 140. That’s exactly what astronomers have discovered around a distant quasar located more than 12 billion light-years away. This impressive discovery not only sparks curiosity, but also offers new clues about how the universe, in its early days, already had the conditions for the emergence of elements fundamental to life.
But what exactly is a quasar? Think of them as cosmic lighthouses, emitting light and energy at extraordinary levels. At the heart of the quasar APM 08279+5255, astronomers detected something impressive: enough water to make us rethink our place in the universe.
Quasar APM 08279+5255: A Cosmic Treasure
This quasar is a true cosmic jewel. Orbiting a supermassive black hole, whose mass is about 20 billion times greater than that of the Sun, it emits energy equivalent to a thousand trillion suns. Amid this chaotic dance of matter and radiation, a huge amount of water vapor has been detected.
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This water is located in a region hundreds of light-years around the quasar, at a temperature of about -63°F, and is denser and hotter than the gas found in ordinary galaxies like the Milky Way. It is an unusual environment, but crucial to understanding how fundamental molecules can arise in such extreme scenarios.
How astronomers made the discovery
The feat was only possible thanks to cutting-edge technologies and collaborative work. The team led by Matt Bradford used instruments such as Z-Spec at the Mauna Kea Submillimeter Observatory and CARMA in California. These tools detected the chemical signatures of water, revealing its quantity and location.
Another group of scientists, using the Plateau de Bure Interferometer in the French Alps, confirmed the findings. This global scientific partnership shows how much exploration of the cosmos depends on the joining of forces and technologies.
Why is this discovery so important?
Water, one of the building blocks of life as we know it, is not just an ordinary molecule. Its presence around the quasar reveals that even in the first billion years of the universe, essential elements were already forming. This means that the ingredients for life may be much more widespread than we thought.
This discovery gives us clues about how the first galaxies evolved. Water vapor helps us understand the physical and chemical conditions at a time when the universe was still young and full of possibilities.
What's Next in Cosmic Exploration
Each new discovery brings us closer to understanding the origins of the cosmos. The detection of this gigantic reserve of water opens the door to future research into how complex molecules can influence the formation of stars, planets and, who knows, even life forms.
Deep space holds incredible secrets, and astronomers have barely scratched the surface. New missions and technologies promise to reveal more about our universe—and perhaps, about ourselves. After all, we are all part of this vast cosmic tapestry.
The discovery of water around the quasar APM 08279+5255 is a reminder of how extraordinary and full of possibilities is the universe. With astronomers unraveling mysteries billions of light years away, who knows what else awaits us in the far reaches of the cosmos?
As human beings are ridiculous, they only belong to our creator, as the Bible says, the wisest are the most ignorant.
The only problem is building a really long hose to bring the water to our planet.
Elon Musk already has some very interesting ideas.
And who wrote the Bible?