Current informs about new findings press release published by the research program of the Academy of Sciences “Strategy AV21 Space for Humanity”.
“I wanted to use laboratory experiments to clarify the origin of water on our planet,” said Professor Civiš about the research, which dealt with how the action of the stellar wind contributed to the formation of water on the surface of oxidic, or oxygenated, minerals.
Scientists have long been trying to find out how water was formed or how it got to our planet: that is, whether it already happened during the formation of the Solar System more than 4.5 billion years ago, or only later, e.g. through the impact of bodies during the so-called the great late bombardment of asteroids slamming into Earth.
Czech scientists were the first to observe the 3D structure of organic material from an asteroid older than Earth
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The Great Late Bombardment refers to an important period in the Solar System from about 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago, during which the region of the inner planets was “bombarded” by large asteroids.
- In addition, during the “great bombing”, e.g. large impact basins were formed on the Moon, which were later covered by lava to form lunar seas.
Molecules as durable space travelers
A domestic scientist is now coming up with new insights into the origin of water on Earth and in other parts of the universe. Using infrared spectrometry and the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method, the experts discovered that the bombardment of oxygenated minerals with hydrogen atoms leads to the formation of water molecules that bind tightly to the surface of the minerals.
These molecules remain stable even at very low pressures and withstand high temperatures, enabling their long-term storage and long-distance transport through space.
The results of the study, published in a prestigious journal Astrophysical Journalthus indicate that the stellar wind could play a key role in supplying water not only to Earth, but also to other bodies in the Solar System.
Scientists have discovered its own water and organic materials on an asteroid for the first time
Science and schools
The specific research involved 14 samples of oxygenated minerals, including two meteorites, and showed that the adsorption capacity of water (adsorption is a process whose principle is the accumulation of gas, liquid or solid particles on the surface due to the effect of intersurface attractive forces – ed. note) ranges between 0.09 and 0.7 percent.
These values suggest that the solid material delivered to Earth during the Late Great Bombardment period—an estimated 1019 to 1020 kilograms—could have contributed to the amount of water that now makes up the oceans.
The corresponding hypothesis supports the theory that the origin of water may be related to processes on the surface of dust grains and minerals exposed to cosmic rays. This is how scientists try to explain the origin of water not only in our solar system, but also in more distant parts of the universe, where the stellar wind constantly replenishes the reserves of water accumulated on minerals.
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The Cosmic Comedy of Water’s Origin: What Czech Scientists Discovered
So, here we are! In a universe where we’re still trying to work out why we even have water on Planet Earth. I mean, if I had a penny for every time someone asked me how H2O got here, I’d have… well, a lot of water bottles, actually! But sketching out the history of water on our globe is no joke just because I am — it’s a profound topic that Czech scientists are diving into with all the seriousness of a toddler in a pool full of rubber ducks!
In a recent press release by the Academy of Sciences’ “Strategy AV21 Space for Humanity,” Professor Civiš revealed that they’ve been experimenting in the laboratory to pin down how this precious liquid took a timeout in the cosmos before splashing onto Earth. You could say they’re on a bit of a cosmic treasure hunt—minus the pirate hats, of course!
How did water even arrive here?
Scientists have been pondering this question since time immemorial—well, at least since the last time it rained! Was the water present when the Solar System was still warming up, preparing for its debut 4.5 billion years ago? Or did it crash in later, like an uninvited asteroid guest at a cosmic party during the “Great Late Bombardment”? Seriously, who thought inviting asteroids was a good idea? Someone really must’ve thought, “What if we mix a chaos-induced shower with our immaculate planet?”
Czech scientists take the stage!
These cultural warriors of science have become the first to observe the peculiar 3D structure of organic material from an ancient asteroid, even older than Earth itself! Now that’s what I call an interstellar find! According to the scientists, our old friends, the hydrogen atoms, are the real heroes here. They’ve been treating oxygenated minerals like their dating profiles, sticking around long-term and creating water molecules that cling on like a friend who’s had just a bit too much and is not ready to let go.
Furthermore, the research reveals that these water molecules have the kind of commitment we all dream of—staying stable under high temperatures and low pressures, making them the well-behaved astronauts of the mineral world. Published in the Astrophysical Journal, this study suggests that stellar winds might actually be the generous delivery service for water, not just here on Earth but throughout the Solar System. UberEats? More like UniverseEats!
The late great bombardment! Sounds like a rock concert!
Let’s go back a bit—about 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago—when the inner planets faced a barrage of asteroids, and you could say Earth was really getting a *bang for its buck*! The remnants of that astronomical mayhem contributed heavy doses of solid material, which could have included the components necessary for the oceans we now enjoy! Imagine the headlines: “Cats and Dogs Possibly Came from Cosmic Ray Rain! Scientists Shocked!”
I could almost see the scientists back then scratching their heads, “Did anyone order a thousand tons of rocks? What’s with the pizza delivery of the universe?!” One of the main discoveries involved investigating 14 samples of oxygenated minerals—because what’s better than hanging out with some shiny rocks, right? Turns out, they found water clung tightly enough to these minerals that it could fill oceans—an estimated 1019 to 1020 kilograms of it. Talk about a heavy commitment!
The water’s cosmic journey continues!
This fascinating research supports a theory suggesting that the origin of water ties back to some wild cosmic events involving dust grains and minerals bypassing cosmic rays. Think of it as space’s finest highway system where the water takes a scenic route, from asteroid to asteroid, making its way to our beautiful blue planet. I bet those water molecules are quite the storytellers:
“So there I was, minding my own business on an asteroid, when BAM! I get picked up and delivered to a planet that thinks it’s the star of the show. Can you believe it?”
Recent findings highlight new insights into the origin of water on Earth, as detailed in a press release from the Academy of Sciences’ research initiative “Strategy AV21 Space for Humanity”.
“I aimed to utilize laboratory experiments to shed light on how water originated on our planet,” stated Professor Civiš, who led the investigation that explored how the stellar wind interacted with oxidized minerals to contribute to the formation of water on Earth’s surface.
Scientists have tirelessly endeavored to unravel the mystery of how water came to exist on Earth: specifically, whether it was formed during the early days of the Solar System over 4.5 billion years ago or arrived later due to collisions with celestial bodies during the violent period known as the Great Late Bombardment, when countless asteroids bombarded the Earth.
Czech scientists were the first to observe the 3D structure of organic material from an asteroid older than Earth
The Great Late Bombardment, occurring approximately 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago, was a significant epoch in the Solar System, characterized by the relentless “bombardment” of the inner planet region by large asteroids, shaping the bodies within this area.
Molecules as durable space travelers
A domestic scientist has unveiled groundbreaking insights into the emergence of water, not only on Earth but potentially across other locations in the universe. By employing infrared spectrometry combined with the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) technique, the researchers confirmed that the collision of hydrogen atoms with oxygenated minerals leads to the creation of water molecules, which adhere robustly to the minerals’ surfaces.
Remarkably, these water molecules maintain their stability even under low-pressure conditions and endure elevated temperatures, facilitating their long-term preservation and transportation over vast distances in the cosmos.
The findings of this study, published in the esteemed Astrophysical Journal, strongly suggest that the stellar wind could be instrumental in delivering water to not just Earth, but other celestial bodies within our Solar System as well.
Scientists have discovered its own water and organic materials on an asteroid for the first time
The study encompassed an analysis of 14 samples of oxygenated minerals, which included two meteorites. The research revealed that the adsorption capacity of water—essentially, the extent to which water can be drawn in by solid materials—ranges between 0.09 and 0.7 percent.
Such figures imply that the substantial solid matter that reached Earth during the Late Great Bombardment period, estimated at between 10^19 to 10^20 kilograms, may have played a vital role in forming the water that now fills our oceans.
This crucial hypothesis bolsters the theory linking water’s origin to interactions taking place on the surfaces of dust grains and minerals subjected to cosmic rays. Scientists are leveraging this understanding to explain water’s origins, not just in our solar system, but also in distant realms of the universe, where the continuous force of stellar wind replenishes water reserves nestled in minerals.
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How might cosmic phenomena influence the formation of water on other planets?
His research indicates that the presence of water—an essential component for life as we know it—may not just be a fluke of Earth’s conditions but could be a common occurrence throughout the cosmos. The findings suggest that the interplay of cosmic phenomena and the materials in space could make the emergence of water a recurring subplot in the story of planetary formation.
As we continue to explore and understand the universe, the implications of this research broaden our perspective on how life could potentially develop not just on our planet, but elsewhere in the universe where similar conditions exist. The quest to decipher the origins of water is a reminder of the depths of mysteries yet to be unraveled and reinforces the age-old adage that we may be more connected to the stars than we ever imagined. Cheers to further discoveries on this watery journey through the cosmos!
