Astronomers have uncovered a colossal water reservoir in a distant corner of the universe, orbiting a quasar more than 12 billion light-years away. This discovery located in the quasar APM 08279+5255, dates back to a time when the universe was still in its infancy.
The water reservoir contains an astonishing 140 trillion times the volume of Earth’s oceans, making it the largest and most distant water source ever identified. This vast supply exists near a supermassive black hole approximately 20 billion times more massive than our Sun.
The quasar itself emits energy equivalent to a thousand trillion suns creating an extreme environment filled with unique molecules and radiation.
Water vapour spans a region hundreds of light-years across surrounding the quasar. Although the gas is sparse compared to Earth’s atmosphere, it is unusually warm and dense for such a distant galaxy. Temperatures hover around minus 63°F, and the gas density is 300 trillion times less than Earth’s atmosphere, yet hundreds of times denser than typical galactic regions.
Matt Bradford a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasized the importance of this find “The environment around this quasar is unique because it’s producing a vast amount of water. It’s another indication that water is widespread throughout the universe, even in its earliest stages.”
The discovery confirms that water an essential molecule for life, was present in the universe billions of years ago, providing a foundation for the building blocks of life.
Quasars like APM 08279+5255 are intensely bright objects powered by supermassive black holes consuming surrounding material. These phenomena emit energy across all wavelengths and illuminate the early universe.
Studying quasars helps astronomers understand the formation of galaxies, the distribution of matter, and the conditions that shaped the cosmos shortly after its creation. Some quasars also emit high-speed particle jets that influence star formation and redistribute matter across vast distances.
The water detected in this quasar’s environment plays a critical role in cooling gas clouds, facilitating the collapse necessary for star formation. Astronomers believe the surrounding gas could either feed the black hole, increasing its mass by sixfold, or contribute to the birth of new stars.
The presence of water in such a distant and ancient environment hints that the essential ingredients for life have existed for billions of years. This discovery provides valuable insights into how galaxies and cosmic structures evolved, offering a clearer picture of the universe’s history and its potential to support life.
This remarkable find reminds us of the vastness and complexity of the cosmos, shedding light on the conditions that shaped the universe’s earliest epochs.