ESA Science & Technology - ISO and Cosmic Water

Publication date: 01 November 2000

Authors: Salama, A., & Kessler, M.

Journal: ESA Bulletin
Volume: 104
Page: pp.30-38
Year: 2000

Copyright: ESA

Water, the basic substance essential for life, has been detected by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) in many places throughout the Universe, including our planetary neighbours in the Solar System, clouds circling or pouring out of stars, the vast spaces between stars, and distant galaxies. We show here how these observations enable us to reconstruct the cosmic cycling of water, and its relevance to the presence of water on the Earth.