The Discovery of a Giant Water Reservoir in Space

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could help unravel the mysteries of the universe. They have discovered the largest body of water in existence floating in space, and it is equivalent to 140 trillion times the mass of water in the Earth’s oceans. The reservoir of water was found in the central regions of a faraway quasar, which is located 12 billion light years away. The discovery was made during a quasar study called “APM 08279+5255” and was first commenced by NASA three years ago in 2008, using an instrument called “Z-Spec” at the California Institute of Technology’s Submillimeter Observatory.

The quasar contains a massive black hole at its center, which is 20 billion times greater than the sun’s mass. Quasars are the most powerful known entities in space, and this particular one is pumping out 1,000 trillion times more energy than our sun, and 65,000 times the whole of the Milky Way. As the black hole at the quasar’s center consumes a surrounding disk of gas and dust, it spews out a considerable amount of energy. The surrounding environment is very unique, producing this huge mass of water, which is spread over hundreds of light years.

Quasars: Powerful Entities in Space

According to the Carnegie Institution, the discovery of water is not surprising, as astronomers expected water vapor to be present even in the early universe. However, the fact that water is so pervasive throughout the universe, even at the earliest times, is remarkable. In the Milky Way, water vapor surfaces are only found in particular regions a few light years across at most. The discovery of water floating in space equivalent to 140 trillion times the mass of water in the Earth’s oceans is an extraordinary discovery.

NASA scientist Matt Bradford commented on the discovery, stating that “it’s another demonstration that water is pervasive throughout the universe, even at the very earliest times.” The breakthroughs in millimeter and submillimeter technology are coming fast, enabling scientists to study ancient galaxies caught in the act of forming stars and supermassive black holes.

The Pervasiveness of Water in the Universe

The discovery of water floating in space equivalent to 140 trillion times the mass of water in the Earth’s oceans opens up new possibilities in the study of the universe. The water cloud discovered by astronomers is located 12 billion light years away, only 1.6 billion light years farther from the Big Bang. This find could help scientists study the early universe and the formation of galaxies and supermassive black holes.

The discovery of water in space has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life. Water is considered a vital component for life as we know it. The discovery of water in space opens up new possibilities in the search for extraterrestrial life. Astronomers will be able to study the water cloud discovered in the quasar and explore the possibility of life in the universe.

In conclusion, the discovery of the largest body of water floating in space, equivalent to 140 trillion times the mass of water in the Earth’s oceans, is an extraordinary discovery that opens up new possibilities in the study of the universe. The find was made during a quasar study called “APM 08279+5255”, using an instrument called “Z-Spec” at the California Institute of Technology’s Submillimeter Observatory. The discovery has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life and could help scientists study the early universe and the formation of galaxies and supermassive black holes.