Before now, Earth was the only planet that had been identified to contain massive cosmic water bodies that were suitable enough to support human growth and development. What if we can prove to you that in a not-so-distant part of our cosmos, there’s a reservoir of water that is floating, surrounding a distant supermassive black hole? Dive in to unravel this mystery.
Where is its location?
We cannot talk about the location of the cosmic water reservoir without talking about a quasar. A quasar is a point at the center of a galaxy that gives off a large amount of radiation. This watery treasure trove isn’t lying just about anywhere; it’s suspended in a cloud of radiation known as the quasar. Multiple quasars can also exist in the universe and can be spotted with the help of advanced imaging systems like the JSWT.
Overview of the occurrence
An important fact to note is that the quasar’s cloud is already heated to hundreds of degrees Fahrenheit. But something unique to note is that water molecules can form just because of the presence of abundant hydrogen and oxygen.
This massive body of water doesn’t take the shape of a tranquil ocean like we are used to on Earth; instead, it behaves like a cosmic sauna that has its roots embedded in intense radiation, rotating around a black hole, inherently negating our residual knowledge about our universe.
A picture that is 12 billion years old
The time from when this discovery was made is more than 1.6 billion years ago. This is a time before Earth, the sun, our solar system, and even the Milky Way existed. This further establishes the fact that this vast reservoir of cosmic water might have been the earliest evidence of life. These discoveries are made possible by modern-day equipment and instruments. While being backed by science, interstellar signs of life might have been in existence before we became aware.
Challenging the thought process about water
Our data and analysis of Earth is that of scarcity and rarity. For many years, we have believed that water was confined to specific planets and icy comets.
The latest discovery that was made establishes the idea that water is universally abundant and not a naturally occurring phenomenon that is confined to specific planets. We also know that where there’s water, life also springs up.
The occurrence of our oceans on Earth has also been a source of great mystery. The uncovering of the existence of cosmic water can be the key to unlocking the answer to this mystery.
Possibilities of multiple oceans existing in the cosmos
After taking a close look at a selected quasar, a cosmic water body was found. Simple logic suggests that if scientists look harder, there might be a possibility that more would be in existence.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an instrument that can make this hypothetical dream come true. With this advanced equipment, humanity is ready for the next phase of cosmological adventures. Just think about it, what if we’ve not even scratched the surface? What if the water we know about now is just a drop in the universe? We’ll just have to keep uncovering the mysteries the universe throws at us.
From what we know so far, water is so much more than we think. Water is not just a phenomenon that exists on Earth; it is like a yo-yo, but for quasars this time around. It is a moment that is inherently challenging the way we view water. For most people, this is just a discovery, but for astronomers who have made it their life’s work, this is a cosmic revelation.