Pacific Ocean (IMAGE)

Carnegie Institution for Science

Pacific Ocean

Caption

Looking at the ratio of hydrogen to its heavy isotope deuterium can help scientists learn about the water on our planet's origin. In this study, comparing the deuterium to hydrogen ratio reached in a model simulation to the ratio found in meteorites, Earth's ocean water, and comets told scientists that some of the water in our Solar System has an origin in interstellar space and pre-dates the birth of the Sun. Photo of the California coast by Carnegie President Matthew Scott.

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Carnegie Institution for Science President Matthew Scott

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