Science

The Cosmic History of Earth’s Water

Up to half of the planet’s water may predate the solar system—and the sun.

Astronomers estimate in Science that 30 to 50 percent of the water on Earth—and throughout the solar system—is older than the sun. The video above follows the research back more than 4.6 billion years to examine the cosmic conditions when the sun was formed.

Update, Nov. 28, 2016: This video has been removed pending the resolution of a licensing claim.