This marks one of the most astonishing astronomical breakthroughs of our time. Twelve billion light-years from our blue planet, NASA scientists have identified a concentration of water vapor more than 140 trillion times greater than all the water on Earth. This revelation shakes up our understanding of the early universe and opens new perspectives on the ubiquity of this life-essential element.
A Colossal Body of Water Surrounding a Hyperenergetic Quasar
In 2011, astronomers detected this gigantic reservoir surrounding the quasar APM 08279+5255. The discovery takes us back to a time when the universe was only 1.6 billion years old — long before the Milky Way even existed. The presence of such vast amounts of water in the early universe challenges existing theories about cosmic evolution.
This reservoir exists in an environment of extreme conditions. The temperature there is −63°C, which is five times higher than the average observed in similar galactic regions. Even more astonishing, the density of water vapor is 100 times greater than what is typically measured elsewhere in comparable areas.
Unlike in our galaxy, where water is mainly found in frozen form in comets and certain planets, the water surrounding quasar APM 08279+5255 exists as vapor and spans several hundred light-years. This unique configuration results from the intense radiation emitted by the quasar.
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Quasars and Their Impact on the Cosmic Environment
Quasars are among the most luminous and energetic objects in the universe. They are powered by supermassive black holes that consume surrounding matter, releasing phenomenal amounts of energy. In the case of APM 08279+5255, the central black hole has a mass equivalent to 20 billion suns and emits power comparable to a thousand trillion stars like our Sun.
Key Characteristics of Quasars:
- Extremely high luminosity visible across cosmic distances
- Radiation spanning the entire electromagnetic spectrum
- An energy source driven by matter accretion onto a supermassive black hole
- Matter jets extending across thousands of light-years
The intensity of radiation emitted by these celestial objects greatly heats the surrounding gas, creating ideal conditions for the massive accumulation of water vapor. This interaction between the quasar and its environment plays a crucial role in the formation of large-scale cosmic structures.
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Scientific Implications and Future Perspectives
This revolutionary discovery of cosmic water raises many questions about the formation and evolution of galaxies. Water plays a fundamental role in numerous astrophysical processes, including star formation and the development of protoplanetary disks. Its presence in astronomical quantities in the early universe suggests it was already abundant long before the first galaxies appeared.
Comparison with Other Celestial Bodies:
| Celestial Object | Relative Water Quantity | Main State |
|---|---|---|
| Earth | 1 (reference) | Liquid/Ice/Vapor |
| Europa (moon of Jupiter) | 2× Earth’s oceans | Ice |
| Enceladus (moon of Saturn) | Subsurface ocean | Liquid beneath ice |
| Quasar APM 08279+5255 | 140 trillion × Earth | Vapor |
Technological advancements in observation—especially in the millimeter and submillimeter ranges—made this extraordinary detection possible. Future instruments, such as the CCAT telescope under construction in Chile, are expected to identify other similar reservoirs in the distant universe.
Astronomers Now Aim To:
- Map the distribution of water in the early universe
- Understand the role of water in the formation of the first galaxies
- Explore implications for the search for extraterrestrial life
- Develop new cosmological models that integrate these discoveries
This colossal reservoir proves that water — essential to life as we know it — existed in unimaginable quantities long before our planet formed. The question remains: could this cosmic water have contributed to the emergence of life elsewhere in the universe?
