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Where Earth's Water Originally Comes From | Naked Science | Spark

Spark・32 minutes read

Earth's water origin remains a mystery, with researchers exploring comets, meteorites, and theories of water condensation in the early solar system to understand its source, with possible links to Jupiter's gravity and deep Earth water. Computer models suggest Earth-like planets could form with water, increasing the possibility of finding planets with liquid water and potential alien life.

Insights

  • Analysis of Halley's Comet water reveals a crucial difference in the ratio of heavy to light hydrogen compared to Earth's water, indicating comets may not be the source of all Earth's water.
  • Mathematician Morbidelli proposes a theory on how water from the asteroid belt reached Earth, suggesting Jupiter's gravity played a crucial role in mixing wet and dry materials, leading to Earth's water composition.

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Recent questions

  • Where does Earth's water come from?

    Various theories explore Earth's water origin.

  • What is the significance of Halley's Comet?

    Halley's Comet is of interest due to its predictable orbit.

  • How do scientists study Earth's water origin?

    Scientists analyze comets and meteorites for clues.

  • What role does Jupiter play in Earth's water composition?

    Jupiter's gravity mixes wet and dry materials, influencing water composition.

  • How do computer models contribute to understanding Earth-like planets?

    Computer models suggest various mechanisms for forming Earth-like planets with water.

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Summary

00:00

"Earth's Water Origins: Comets or Dust?"

  • Earth is the only planet in the solar system with liquid water, covering over 70% of the planet and making up about 60% of our bodies.
  • The origin of Earth's water is a mystery, with scientists exploring various theories to understand where it came from.
  • Scientists consider the possibility that water was delivered by comets from the outer solar system, as comets are icy bodies that could have brought water to Earth.
  • Water molecules contain clues that can reveal their origin, with the ratio of heavy to light hydrogen indicating where the water comes from.
  • Scientists study comets to analyze the ratio of heavy to light hydrogen in their water, aiming to compare it with Earth's water.
  • Halley's Comet is of particular interest to astronomers due to its predictable orbit, allowing for a space probe to collect samples from its tail.
  • Analysis of Halley's Comet water reveals a crucial difference in the ratio of heavy to light hydrogen compared to Earth's water, indicating comets may not be the source of all Earth's water.
  • The discovery of the oldest mineral sample on Earth, a zircon crystal, suggests that liquid water was present on the planet's surface 4.4 billion years ago.
  • Geologists like Professor Steven Moyes use zircon crystals to uncover the presence of water on early Earth, challenging previous theories of a dry planet formation.
  • Professor Mike Drake proposes a new theory where water vapor condensed onto dust grains in the early solar system, potentially providing a new source of water for Earth's oceans.

19:58

Origin of Earth's Water: A Scientific Mystery

  • Earth's water's origin is a significant scientific mystery.
  • Scientists seek a match for Earth's water in space.
  • Meteorites, like those studied by Gary Hus, hold clues to Earth's water origin.
  • Comets and meteorites differ in composition and origin.
  • Meteorites reveal water locked inside minerals from asteroids.
  • Professor Hus measures heavy to light hydrogen ratio in water-bearing meteorites.
  • Some asteroids in the asteroid belt have the same hydrogen ratio as Earth's water.
  • Mathematician Morbidelli proposes a theory on how water from the asteroid belt reached Earth.
  • Morbidelli's theory involves the interconnected formation of all eight planets in the solar system.
  • Jupiter's gravity plays a crucial role in mixing wet and dry materials, leading to Earth's water composition.

39:48

"Deep Earth Water: Primordial and Alien Potential"

  • Research indicates that water from deep within the Earth differs significantly from ocean water, potentially being primordial and untouched since the planet's formation.
  • The study extends beyond Hawaii, with Iceland also being a test site, aiming to uncover differences not only between deep and surface water but also between volcanic regions on opposite sides of the Earth.
  • Computer models, like Dr. Shawn Raymond's, suggest that Earth-like planets can form with water through various mechanisms, increasing the likelihood of finding planets with liquid water and potentially supporting alien life.
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