Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering a colossal water reservoir orbiting a quasar over 12 billion light-years away. This staggering distance means the light we observe today was emitted just after the universe’s birth.
The massive reservoir contains an estimated 140 trillion times the volume of all Earth’s oceans combined and resides near a supermassive black hole, approximately 20 billion times more massive than our sun. The quasar, APM 08279+5255, emits energy equivalent to a thousand trillion suns and is believed to be producing a vast amount of water.
According to NASA scientist Matt Bradford, the environment around this quasar is unique because it’s creating a vast amount of water. This discovery reinforces the idea that water is widespread throughout the universe, even in its earliest stages.
The study of quasars allows astronomers to learn about the early universe and provide insights into galaxy formation, matter distribution, and cosmic structure development. The presence of water vapour in the environment surrounding this particular quasar expands our understanding of how life’s essential building blocks appear over vast expanses of time and space.
The discovery highlights the importance of studying quasars, which can reveal regions that would otherwise remain hidden and provide clues about the conditions of the early universe. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of galaxy evolution and the origins of life.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/science/140-trillion-oceans-of-water-found-in-space-around-12-billion-light-years-away-7312922