Search for universe’s first water could reset timeline of life’s origins
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
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Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology |
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Context |
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Discovery of Water in the Early Universe
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If confirmed, this could change current theories, indicating that life-supporting planets may have formed billions of years earlier than previously thought.
Formation of the First Stars
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The universe began with the Big Bang around 13.8 billion years ago.
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The first stars appeared a few hundred million years later, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
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These stars heated surrounding gas and later exploded as supernovae, setting off a cycle of new star formation.
Role of Population III Stars
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Stars are classified into three groups based on their age and metallicity.
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Population III stars were the first stars, made entirely of hydrogen and helium.
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These massive stars burned their fuel quickly and exploded as supernovae, producing oxygen and other elements.
Water Formation in Early Supernovae
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Simulations show that the first supernovae produced the conditions needed to form water between 50 million and 1 billion years after the Big Bang.
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Oxygen expelled from these explosions combined with hydrogen to create water.
Implications for the Universe
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This suggests that water was more abundant in the early universe than previously believed.
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Planets could have formed before galaxies, possibly creating conditions for life much earlier than expected.
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The study supports previous findings that water molecules remain unchanged from their origins as they reach planets.
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Practice Question: Examine the significance of the Big Bang Theory in understanding the origin and evolution of the universe. How do recent discoveries challenge or refine this theory? (150 Words /10 marks) |
