Researchers reveal new theory on the extraterrestrial origins of Earth's water

In recent research led by astrophysicist Quentin Kral from the Paris Observatory, a new theory has emerged regarding the origins of Earth's water. This theory builds on the analysis of meteorites, suggesting that the water on Earth originates from extraterrestrial sources rather than being a direct byproduct of planet formation. It was previously thought that water was released from magma during volcanic eruptions, or brought in by comets and asteroids. However, Kral's team focused on the D/H ratio to draw a closer link between Earth's water and carbonaceous asteroids that contain traces of water. This connection is based on observations made with advanced telescopes and data from missions exploring asteroids that potentially contributed to early water formation. The model proposed by Kral examines how asteroids formed icy during their lifecycle in the hydrogen-rich protoplanetary disk surrounding the young Sun. An important aspect of this research delves into a significant period, approximately 20 to 30 million years after the Sun's formation, when its luminosity dramatically increased. This rise in luminosity likely enhanced the degassing rate of water from these asteroids, which led to an increase in the water vapor disk surrounding the forming planets. Kral's research underlines the importance of studying extrasolar systems. Observations suggest that similar conditions might exist in these distant systems, providing insights into how water vapor could interfere and condense within young asteroid belts. Additional analysis performed on other terrestrial planets, including Mars, indicates that these findings may not only pertain to Earth but also to how water was distributed across the inner solar system. This comprehensive model highlights a potentially more gradual and less dramatic process by which water reached terrestrial planets, contrasting with previous beliefs about asteroid impacts being the main delivery mechanism for water. The likelihood of finding supporting evidence in other systems encourages further exploration and could reshape our understanding of planetary formation and early conditions on Earth.