What if we poured water on the sun?

Things are heating up on Earth, and it's becoming a bit overwhelming. So, let's explore an idea: what if we took all of Earth's water and dumped it onto the sun? Every single drop! Would that help cool things down a little, or is that just wishful thinking? Getting to the sun is no small feat, after all. Plus, if we were to actually drench the sun, what would happen to life on our planet?

This is a fascinating thought experiment, so let’s dive into how it might play out if we truly poured all of Earth's water onto the sun. First, we need to consider the immense challenge ahead. The sun is a colossal entity, the largest in our solar system, and it’s a massive ball of burning hydrogen. It’s approximately 1.3 million times the size of Earth, and it’s so hot that it’s like experiencing the explosion of 15 billion atom bombs every second! With a surface temperature of around 5600 degrees Celsius, the sun is composed of about 70% hydrogen and 28% helium, with just 2% made up of other elements like carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.

So, what would happen if we took on this monumental task?The sun is incredibly far away—about 400 times further than the moon, which is roughly 150 million kilometers from us. For context, the circumference of Earth is just 40,000 kilometers, so we're talking about a journey that would be quite the road trip, or rather, a space trip! But what’s really fascinating is the kind of fire that burns within the Sun. The immense heat and light it emits are the results of nuclear fusion reactions, but we’ll delve into that later.

However, we're facing a pretty monumental challenge here. The heat from the Sun isn’t just any ordinary warmth; it feels like a ticking time bomb, with the Sun getting hotter every second. You might be asking yourself if that’s what’s driving global warming. Well, the answer is no—not really. The rise in temperatures on Earth is primarily due to human activity and the carbon dioxide we’re releasing into the atmosphere. Sure, the Sun is gradually warming, but it’s only by about 1° every 100 million years.

Now, things are definitely heating up on our beautiful blue planet! So instead of trying to eliminate fossil fuels, wouldn’t it be something if we could just lower the Sun’s thermostat? Imagine taking all the water from Earth and splashing it onto the Sun—kind of like a cosmic ice bucket challenge. Who knows, that might just cool things down a bit!

So, what's behind global warming? Well, let's be honest—it’s us, humans, and the carbon dioxide we’re pumping into the atmosphere. Sure, the sun is gradually getting hotter, but that’s only about 1° every 100 million years. However, it’s undeniable that things are heating up on our beautiful Blue Marble. Instead of just ditching fossil fuels, what if we tried something a bit more out-of-the-box? Imagine if we could just cool the sun down a bit. Picture this: we gather all the water on Earth and pour it on the sun, kind of like a massive cosmic ice bucket challenge. Maybe that’ll help lower its temperature a notch!

Alright, so let’s dive into some cool stuff! If that doesn’t pan out, don’t worry—we’ve got one more trick up our sleeve to share later. First off, let’s figure out just how much water there really is on Earth. Believe it or not, 71% of our planet's surface is covered in water. That adds up to about 1.3 billion cubic kilometers, which is an incredible 554 trillion Olympic-sized swimming pools. Yeah, that’s a whole lot of water! Now that you’ve got a grasp on the amazing power of the sun and the vast water resources we have, it’s time to jump in.

Why don’t we test our theory with something a bit more manageable? Instead of thinking about all of Earth’s water, let’s start with just a single glass—250 ml, or 8 oz. That should be a whole lot easier to work with! Let’s explore the incredible power of the sun and the vast water resources available on Earth. To kick things off, why not test our theory using something more manageable? Instead of tackling all of Earth’s water, let’s begin by shipping just a single glass—250 ml, or 8 oz. This should make things much simpler!

Before we take off, the first thing we need to determine is our spacecraft for this mission. We're going to be using the Parker Solar Probe, which is about the size of a horse and weighs 555 kg. It’s no problem to add a small glass of water to the ship. Back in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe achieved the closest approach to the Sun that any spacecraft has ever made, and for this mission, we’re getting up close and personal. Well, sort of—at its nearest point, it will still be 6.2 million kilometers away from the Sun!

Millions of kilometers from the Sun, one might wonder why NASA cannot approach it more closely. NASA explains that reaching the Sun is exceptionally challenging, requiring 55 times more energy than a mission to Mars. The reason for this will be clarified shortly. As the probe launches, an unusual phenomenon occurs: it moves backward instead of forward. This is due to Earth's rapid orbit around the Sun, traveling at a speed of 107,000 kilometers per hour. To send a spacecraft toward the Sun, one must consider Earth's momentum.

Consequently, the probe launches in a backward trajectory and ultimately moves sideways until it reaches our star. A simple analogy is to think of it like accounting for wind when throwing a frisbee, though I must admit I am not particularly skilled at that. Given that the probe will take several years to reach the Sun, let us fast forward to the moment it arrives at its closest possible position. A robotic arm extends and releases water directly above the Sun. In mere milliseconds, accompanied by a brief hissing sound, the water instantly vaporizes, leaving no discernible impact on the Sun. Interestingly, measurements from the Parker probe indicate that the Sun has become slightly heavier, although it was expected to become lighter after being doused. Perhaps the probe's measurements were inaccurate.

Now, it is time for a more serious attempt. This time, we will not settle for a small glass of water that yielded no results. Instead, we will transport an entire lake from Earth and pour it onto the Sun. Let us consider Lake Superior, which is immense; it is the largest lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume. If all the water from Lake Superior were distributed over North and South America, it would result in a depth of approximately 30 centimeters, or one foot. To facilitate this endeavor, we must first assume we have obtained permission from the federal governments of Canada and the United States. Once that is secured, we can proceed to construct a drainage channel to connect the lake.

The objective is to create a pipeline that will transport water to our Starships situated at SpaceX headquarters in Texas. To facilitate the launch of this water into the Sun, a significant number of pipelines will be required. However, the construction of such a pipeline could take between 5 to 10 years, which is not a feasible timeline. An alternative could be to utilize an existing oil and gas pipeline that currently transports 3 million barrels of oil daily, repurposing it for water transport. Unfortunately, this method would still require approximately 70,000 years to move all the water, presenting a considerable challenge.

Given the inefficiency of the pipeline approach, we must consider a more effective solution. One possibility is to employ an exceptionally powerful pump, specifically the Nigh House pump from the Netherlands, which has the capacity to pump 1,200 cubic meters per second. At this rate, it could transfer 1 cubic kilometer of water in roughly 10 days. The water could then be loaded into large tanker trucks, such as the large-scale construction tankers that can carry 227,000 liters of water each.

If we were to install this pump at Lake Superior, which contains 12,100 cubic kilometers of water, the extraction process would take approximately 121,000 days, or 320 years. While this is still a lengthy duration, it is an improvement over the 70,000 years required by the pipeline method. To expedite the process, we could deploy 320 pumps, reducing the timeframe to one year. An even more efficient strategy would involve investing in 960 pumps, allowing us to complete the task in just four months.

However, we must also consider the financial implications of this endeavor. Constructing the necessary pumping stations for these pumps could cost around $1 billion and take approximately three years. Therefore, building 960 stations would significantly increase both the time and financial investment required. Additionally, such extensive construction could have detrimental effects on the environment and local scenery around Lake Superior, potentially leading to the extinction of certain bird species. Securing the necessary approvals for this project would likely be a complex and contentious process, and it could even result in international disputes with

Canada

This initiative aims to address global challenges, and it is hoped that the entire population will support scientific efforts. Assuming you successfully implement this plan, the next step involves transporting the water to the launch site using large tanker trucks. The estimated requirement is approximately 53 billion tanker trucks to carry all that water, which appears highly impractical and likely unfeasible. Regrettably, the method of using pumps and tanker trucks is not viable.

Instead of transporting this vast quantity of water from the Canadian border to Texas, why not relocate the launch site? We could launch the water rockets directly from Lake Superior. Establishing a rocket launch facility would be significantly more time-efficient and cost-effective than moving all that water. We could directly pipe the water from the lake into our starships, which seems like a feasible solution.

If we do not intend to return our starships, each has a payload capacity of 250 metric tons. To deliver all the required water, we would need approximately 48 billion ships. Constructing such a fleet would be a monumental challenge, but let us assume we manage to do so. We would then initiate launches from 1,000 rocket sites on an ambitious schedule, launching every three seconds continuously for four years.

However, we must also consider the fuel requirements for these starships. Each ship requires 1,000 tons of methane and 4,000 tons of liquid oxygen to reach orbit, totaling 48 trillion tons of methane and 192 trillion tons of oxygen. Additionally, we would need even more fuel to reach the Sun. Assuming we somehow achieve this, our starships would take off sequentially. As they approach the Sun, they would encounter extreme temperatures, around 500,000 degrees Celsius. While the Parker probe was equipped with advanced heat shield technology, our starships would not withstand such heat and would begin to melt, turning all that water into vapor. This would result in a catastrophic failure, leaving us just short of our goal.

Now, let us consider an alternative, innovative strategy.A colossal hose has been connected and directed straight at the sun, marking the initiation of an unprecedented mega project. This endeavor, which has never been attempted before, requires the hose to extend 150 million kilometers, with the final 10 million kilometers constructed using specialized heat-resistant technology to prevent melting. Drawing from our past experiments, we are prepared for this ambitious undertaking, even if it seems unconventional.

Lake Superior is being drained into this enormous hose, which is powered by a substantial nuclear reactor, channeling all that water directly toward the sun. Since this operation is conducted from Earth, we will rely on the Parker probe, which is orbiting the sun, to provide feedback on the situation as the water impacts the solar surface. Remarkably, an unusual phenomenon occurs: the sun appears to burn slightly brighter, as if additional fuel has been introduced to this immense fiery body.

To comprehend this occurrence, it is essential to delve into the nature of fire. We are familiar with fires on Earth, whether from a campfire or a gas stove, but the sun's fire operates on a different principle. In typical fires, known as chemical combustion, carbon in the fuel reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. For these fires to sustain themselves, three elements are necessary: fuel (such as wood or gas), oxygen, and a high temperature. When water is applied to these terrestrial fires, two outcomes may arise: the water absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature, and it may also diminish the available oxygen, potentially extinguishing the flames.

In contrast, the sun's fire is generated through fusion reactions, with billions occurring every second, which is fundamentally different from the fires we encounter on Earth. Therefore, when water is introduced to the sun, rather than cooling it, the effects are not as straightforward.

The sun receives additional energy as water vaporizes due to its intense heat, transforming into hydrogen and oxygen. This process inadvertently provides more fuel for the sun, causing it to burn more brightly. As water from Lake Superior reaches the sun, it generates increasing amounts of hydrogen for the star to consume. However, this does not pose a risk of explosion, as the sun already contains a vast quantity of hydrogen; the contribution from Lake Superior is merely a minuscule addition to an immense reservoir.

While we understand that a small volume of water could enhance the sun's energy output, the scenario changes dramatically if we were to direct all the water on Earth to the sun. To achieve this, one would need to drain the oceans, which account for 97% of Earth's water. Instead of utilizing starships, tanker trucks, or hoses, we would construct a portal connecting Earth to the sun.

Let us envision the technological advancements required to create such a portal, beginning at Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the ocean, located 11 kilometers below sea level in the Mariana Trench. The construction of a portal at this depth is challenging due to the extreme water pressure, which exceeds 1,000 times that of sea level. If we were to create a portal with a diameter of 10 meters, it would take hundreds of thousands of years to drain the oceans, resulting in a water level decrease of less than 1 centimeter per day. The sheer size of the ocean renders this opening insufficient.

To expedite the process, we could widen the portal or establish multiple portals at various locations. As water from Earth's oceans begins to flow into the sun, we would receive updates from the Parker probe, which is monitoring events 150 million kilometers away. However, the probe would likely report minimal changes. Despite the vast amount of water drained, it would have vaporized before reaching the sun, and while the additional hydrogen would marginally increase the sun's mass, the overall impact would remain negligible.

The mass of the Sun has experienced a negligible increase, as the amount of water involved constituted merely 0.02% of Earth's total weight. To put this into perspective, the Sun's mass is approximately 330,000 times that of Earth, rendering the additional hydrogen nothing more than a fleeting source of fuel for the Sun. Now that all the water from the oceans has been utilized for this experiment, our planet, often referred to as the Blue Marble, appears quite desolate. The situation on Earth has deteriorated significantly; the oceans have transformed into vast graveyards, with millions of marine creatures, from tiny plankton to enormous sharks, perishing as a result of the attempt to extinguish the Sun.

Humanity is engulfed in panic, urgently assessing the remaining water in icebergs and freshwater lakes, questioning how long these resources can sustain life on the planet. Fortunately, 3% of the water remains, amounting to 11 million cubic kilometers. However, humans consume approximately 5,000 cubic kilometers of water annually for various activities. It is important to note that we do not rely on melting icebergs for water; instead, we depend on groundwater and freshwater sources. Consequently, the actual freshwater available in lakes is only about 93,000 cubic kilometers, which would not last even 20 years.

As temperatures rise and the oceans have dried up, water can no longer fulfill its crucial role in regulating our climate. The absence of ocean currents means that heat cannot be distributed globally, and there is no outlet for carbon emissions. This disruption has led to a breakdown in rainfall patterns, resulting in widespread forest fires. With altered rain cycles, plant life is at risk of extinction, followed by the animals that depend on them. We are facing a climate crisis, an ecological crisis, and a water crisis simultaneously. Ironically, the initial problem we sought to address has escalated dramatically due to our actions.

Temperatures could soar to 67°C (150°F), and for humanity to endure this extreme heat, a drastic change in lifestyle will be necessary—potentially seeking refuge in Antarctica or residing in underground shelters. The harsh reality is that without oceans to facilitate the water cycle and without vegetation, life on Earth would cease to exist. Nonetheless, there remains a glimmer of hope.

You discover that attempting to extinguish the Sun by hurling ocean water at it is futile, a fact supported by scientific understanding. While Earth is in disarray, your curiosity remains piqued regarding one final experiment. Given the extreme heat, you contemplate whether it would be feasible to cool the Sun slightly by launching a water sphere the size of the Sun itself. Although this notion seems nearly impossible—raising the question of where one would even acquire a Sun-sized volume of water—let us entertain the idea that such a colossal sphere of water could be assembled.

Before we delve into the Sun's potential response, consider that this enormous water sphere would contain approximately one billion times the amount of water that was present on Earth prior to its depletion. In the vacuum of space, where pressure is nonexistent, the water would begin to boil and transform into vapor. However, due to the extremely low temperatures, this vapor would quickly freeze into ice crystals, resulting in a vast vapor cloud surrounding the massive water sphere.

Furthermore, the immense size of this water sphere would generate significant pressure at its core. As gravitational forces cause it to collapse inward, the pressure and temperature at the center would rise. Under such conditions, water molecules might accelerate and disassociate into hydrogen and oxygen. As hydrogen atoms collide, they could fuse to create helium, releasing energy in the process. This energy release would further elevate the temperature and accelerate the fusion reactions. Ultimately, this colossal sphere of water could transform into a second Sun, fueled by nuclear fusion at its core. It seems I have always wished for two suns, but there may be additional implications to consider.

The pressure within a water ball, despite being extremely high, may not be adequate to initiate the fusion process, potentially resulting in the formation of a brown dwarf, which is classified as a failed star. If this enormous water ball were positioned adjacent to our Sun, it could pose a significant challenge to it. This water ball would possess a mass considerably greater than that of the Sun, as it is the same size but composed of water, which is denser than hydrogen. Consequently, the Sun would spiral into this massive water counterpart, undergoing stretching in the process. This elongation could disrupt the core, where hydrogen fusion occurs. A decrease in pressure might temporarily slow down the fusion process; however, as the two celestial bodies converge, the fusion could accelerate, potentially resulting in a Sun that is even more powerful, longer-lasting, and hotter.

Is it, then, impossible to disrupt the Sun? There remains one final strategy to consider: rather than merely placing the two suns side by side, what if they were to collide head-on? In such a scenario, akin to planetary collisions, the two suns would fragment into smaller pieces, creating a vast vapor cloud along with numerous smaller clouds of hydrogen and water. The intense pressure at the Sun's core would be disturbed, halting the fusion process. Subsequently, the fragments could condense again, possibly forming an even larger Sun.

However, would Earth be spared from this cataclysm? Unfortunately, no. The introduction of another massive entity at the center of our solar system would significantly alter the gravitational field, disrupting the orbits of all planets, not only within our solar system but also beyond it. Proxima Centauri, for instance, would experience a permanent change in its orbit. Earth, already depleted of its oceans and stripped of life, would face a final blow as it is pushed out of its orbit, marking the definitive end of life on our planet. Thus,

eliminating the sun with water may sound intriguing, but what if we considered the idea of disposing of our waste into it? That could be a topic for another discussion. Currently, temperatures on Earth are rising uncontrollably, prompting us to explore unconventional solutions. Imagine if we could gather all the water on our planet and pour it onto the sun—every single drop. Perhaps this could help cool things down. However, is such an endeavor feasible? What makes reaching the sun so challenging, and what would be the consequences for life on Earth if we were to douse the sun? This is a hypothetical scenario, and here is what might occur if we were to pour all of Earth's water onto the sun.

Before we embark on the task of collecting all the water on Earth, transporting it to the sun, and pouring it onto our blazing star, we must first comprehend the enormity of the challenge we face. The sun is the most massive entity in our solar system, a colossal sphere of burning hydrogen that is approximately 1.3 million times larger than Earth. Its temperature is so extreme that it equates to the explosion of 15 billion atomic bombs every second, reaching around 5,600 degrees Celsius. While it may be described as a massive ball of burning hydrogen, in reality, about 70% of the sun consists of hydrogen, 28% helium, and the remaining 2% includes carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and other elements.

The sun is also incredibly distant, situated about 400 times farther from us than the moon, at a distance of approximately 150 million kilometers. For context, the Earth's circumference is merely 40,000 kilometers, making this a significant journey, whether by road or through space. The fire within the sun is not an ordinary flame; the immense heat and light it emits result from nuclear fusion reactions, a topic we will revisit later. This is the formidable fire we are attempting to extinguish.

Moreover, the sun is not just hot; it is akin to a ticking time bomb, as its temperature continues to rise every second. You may be wondering if this increase is responsible for global warming. The answer is no; the primary cause of global warming remains human activity and the carbon dioxide emissions we release into the atmosphere.

While the sun is indeed becoming hotter, this occurs at a rate of only about 1 degree every 100 million years.The situation on our Blue Marble is becoming increasingly intense, prompting the idea that rather than eliminating fossil fuels, we might consider lowering the sun's temperature. One imaginative approach could involve pouring all of Earth's water onto the sun, akin to the ice bucket challenge but on a cosmic scale. This might help cool the sun down. If this method proves ineffective, we have another strategy in mind, which I will reveal later.

First, we need to ascertain the total volume of water on Earth. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, amounting to around 1.3 billion cubic kilometers, equivalent to 554 trillion Olympic-sized swimming pools. Clearly, that is an immense quantity of water.

Now that we have a grasp of the sun's formidable energy and Earth's vast water resources, we can proceed. To test our hypothesis, let us begin with a more manageable experiment: instead of utilizing all of Earth's water, we will start by sending a single glass of water, approximately 250 milliliters (8 ounces). This approach is far more feasible and less resource-intensive.

Before we embark on this mission, we must select our spacecraft. For this endeavor, we will utilize the Parker Solar Probe, which is roughly the size of a horse and weighs 555 kilograms. Adding a small glass of water to the spacecraft should not pose any issues. In 2018, the Parker Solar Probe made history by coming closer to the sun than any other spacecraft, and for this mission, we will be getting even closer.

At its nearest approach, the spacecraft will still be positioned 6.2 million kilometers from the Sun. One might wonder why NASA cannot bring it any closer. The answer lies in the significant challenges associated with reaching the Sun; it requires 55 times more energy to travel there than to Mars. As the probe launches, an unusual phenomenon occurs: it moves backward rather than forward.

This is due to Earth's rapid orbit around the Sun, traveling at a speed of 107,000 kilometers per hour. To successfully direct a spacecraft toward the Sun, one must consider Earth's momentum, resulting in a backward launch that ultimately propels the probe sideways until it reaches our star. A simple analogy would be akin to accounting for wind resistance when throwing a frisbee, though I must admit I am not particularly skilled at that.

Given that the probe will take several years to reach the Sun, let us fast forward to the moment it arrives at its closest possible position. At this point, a robotic arm extends and releases water directly above the Sun. In mere milliseconds, accompanied by a brief hissing sound, the water instantly vaporizes, leaving the Sun unchanged. However, if we examine the situation further, we can observe additional effects.

According to measurements obtained from the Parker probe, it appears that the sun is slightly heavier than previously thought. However, it was anticipated that the sun would eventually lose mass and become lighter. Perhaps the probe's measurements were inaccurate.

Now, it is time for a more serious approach. Instead of a small glass of water, we propose to transport an entire lake from Earth and deposit it onto the sun. Lake Superior, being the largest lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume, is our candidate. If we were to empty Lake Superior over North and South America, the entire continent would be submerged under approximately 30 centimeters (one foot) of water.

To drain this lake, we must first assume we have obtained the necessary permissions from the federal governments of both Canada and the United States. Once that is secured, we would need to construct a drainage channel connected to a pipeline leading to our starships at SpaceX headquarters in Texas. Given the volume of water involved, a significant number of starships would be required for the launch. However, constructing a new pipeline could take between five to ten years, which is not feasible. An alternative might be to repurpose an existing oil and gas pipeline that currently transports three million barrels of oil daily.

Unfortunately, even this solution would still require around 70,000 years to transport all the water, presenting a significant challenge. The pipeline method is proving to be excessively slow, necessitating a more efficient solution. Consider utilizing an exceptionally powerful pump, specifically the Nigh House pump from the Netherlands, which has the capacity to pump 1,200 cubic meters per second. At this rate, it would take approximately 10 days to pump 1 cubic kilometer of water. The water would then be transferred into large tanker trucks, such as the large-scale construction tankers that can carry 227,000 liters of water each.

Now, if we were to install this pump on Lake Superior, which contains 12,100 cubic kilometers of water, the total time required for pumping would be around 121,000 days, or 320 years. While this duration is significantly shorter than the previously estimated 70,000 years, it is still quite lengthy.

To expedite the process, we could deploy 320 pumps, reducing the time to just one year. Alternatively, if budget permits, we could construct 960 pumps, allowing us to complete the task in just four months. However, we must also consider the financial implications of this operation, as the construction of these pumps will require a pumping station, which could incur costs starting at $1 billion constructing 960 of these facilities would require approximately three years and a substantial financial investment, which would undoubtedly disrupt the environment and landscape surrounding Lake Superior.

Such extensive construction could potentially lead to the extinction of some local bird species, complicating the approval process and possibly resulting in diplomatic tensions with Canada. However, given that this initiative aims to benefit the planet, it is hoped that global support for scientific advancement would prevail.

Assuming the project proceeds, transporting the water to the launch site would necessitate an enormous fleet of tanker trucks—specifically, around 53 billion, which is clearly impractical and likely unfeasible. Regrettably, this method of using pumps and tanker trucks is not viable. Instead of transporting vast quantities of water from the Canadian border to Texas, a more efficient solution would be to relocate the launch site. By launching the water rockets directly from Lake Superior, we could significantly reduce both the time and cost involved in the project. We would simply pipe the water from the lake directly into our spacecraft.

This plan should be feasible, provided we do not intend to return our starships home. Each starship has a payload capacity of 250 metric tons. To transport all the required water, we would need approximately 48 billion ships. Constructing such a vast number of vessels would be a significant challenge; however, let us assume we manage to achieve this. We would then commence launches from 1,000 rocket sites on an intense schedule, launching every three seconds continuously for four years. Additionally, we must consider the fuel requirements for these starships.

Each ship requires 1,000 tons of methane and 4,000 tons of liquid oxygen to reach orbit, resulting in a total need of 48 trillion tons of methane and 192 trillion tons of oxygen. Furthermore, we would require even more fuel to reach the Sun. Assuming we can overcome these challenges, our starships would begin their launches sequentially. As they approach the Sun, they would encounter extreme temperatures, reaching around 500,000 degrees Celsius. While the Parker probe was designed with advanced heat shield technology, our starships would not be able to endure such heat and would begin to melt.

Water has transformed into vapor, resulting in a significant setback. We were so close to success. Now, let us consider an unconventional strategy: what if we connected an enormous hose directed at the sun? This ambitious mega project is unprecedented, yet we are determined to pursue it. The hose must extend 150 million kilometers, with the final 10 million kilometers constructed using specialized heat-resistant technology to prevent melting. We have certainly learned from our past experiments, and while this idea may seem far-fetched, let us entertain the possibility of its success.

Imagine Lake Superior draining into a colossal hose powered by a massive nuclear reactor, directing all that water straight into the sun. Since this operation is based on Earth, we will need to await feedback from the reliable Parker probe, which is orbiting the sun. As the water impacts the sun, something remarkably unusual occurs: the sun begins to burn slightly brighter, as if additional fuel has been introduced to this immense fiery entity.

To comprehend this phenomenon, it is essential to delve deeper into the nature of fire. We are familiar with fires on Earth, whether from a campfire or a gas stove flame. However, the sun's fire operates differently. In typical fires, a process known as chemical combustion occurs, where carbon in the fuel reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. For these fires to sustain themselves, three elements are necessary: fuel (such as wood, gas, or coal), oxygen, and a high temperature. When water is introduced to these terrestrial fires, two outcomes may arise: the water absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature, and it may also diminish the available oxygen, extinguishing the flames.

In contrast, the sun's fire is fundamentally different. Although we refer to the sun as fiery, its combustion is not comparable to the fires we experience on Earth. The sun's energy is generated through fusion reactions occurring at its core.

Events are occurring every second, and they differ significantly from a typical campfire. When water is poured onto the Sun, rather than cooling it, the water vaporizes due to the Sun's extreme heat, transforming into hydrogen and oxygen. This process inadvertently provides additional fuel for the Sun, causing it to burn even more brightly.

As water from Lake Superior reaches the Sun, it generates increasing amounts of hydrogen for the star to consume. However, this does not pose a risk of causing the Sun to explode, as it already contains a vast quantity of hydrogen; the water from Earth is merely a minuscule addition to this immense reservoir.

While we understand that a small volume of water can enhance the Sun's energy output, the scenario changes dramatically if we were to pour all the water on Earth directly onto the Sun. This would seemingly extinguish it, right? To achieve this, one would need to drain the oceans, which account for 97% of Earth's water. Instead of utilizing starships, tanker trucks, or hoses, we would construct a portal connecting Earth to the Sun.

Let us envision the technological advancements required to create such a portal, starting from the deepest point in the ocean, Challenger Deep, which lies 11 kilometers below sea level in the Mariana Trench. Building anything at that depth is extremely challenging due to the immense water pressure, which exceeds 1,000 times that at sea level.

Therefore, we would design a portal with a diameter of 10 meters. However, with a portal of this size, it would take hundreds of thousands of years to drain the oceans, as the water level would decrease by less than 1 centimeter per day. The ocean's vastness renders this opening insufficient. Thus, we must either enlarge this portal or create multiple portals positioned strategically across the ocean floor.

Water from Earth's oceans is being depleted and directed towards our star, leading to new data from the Parker probe regarding conditions 150 million kilometers away. The findings indicate minimal changes. The Parker probe reveals that as the water approached the Sun, it vaporized completely. This additional hydrogen contributed to a slight increase in the Sun's mass; however, even with all the water from Earth's oceans, the increase is negligible, representing only 0.02% of Earth's total weight. To put this into perspective, the Sun's mass is 330,000 times that of Earth, making the added hydrogen merely a brief source of fuel for the Sun.

Now that the oceans have been entirely consumed for this experiment, our planet, often referred to as the Blue Marble, appears quite desolate. The consequences for Earth are dire; the oceans have turned into a graveyard, with millions of marine creatures, from tiny plankton to enormous sharks, perishing as a result of this reckless endeavor to extinguish the Sun.

Humanity is engulfed in panic, urgently assessing the remaining water in icebergs and freshwater lakes, questioning how long these reserves can sustain life on the planet. Fortunately, 3% of the water remains, amounting to 11 million cubic kilometers, while humans typically utilize around 5,000 cubic kilometers annually.

Each year, our activities consume a cubic kilometer of water. However, it is important to note that we do not rely on melting icebergs for our water supply; instead, we utilize groundwater and freshwater sources. Therefore, the figure of 11 million cubic kilometers is misleading.

The freshwater available in lakes amounts to only 93,000 cubic kilometers, which is insufficient to last even two decades. Additionally, rising temperatures and the depletion of oceans hinder water's crucial role in regulating our climate. The absence of ocean currents prevents the distribution of heat across the planet, leaving no outlet for carbon emissions. This disruption leads to altered rainfall patterns and widespread forest fires. As rainfall cycles become irregular, plant life will decline, followed by the extinction of animal species.

We are facing a climate crisis, an ecological crisis, and a water crisis simultaneously. Unfortunately, our attempts to address these issues may have exacerbated the situation. Projections indicate that temperatures could soar to 67°C (150°F). For humanity to endure such extreme heat, a significant transformation in our lifestyle will be necessary, potentially requiring us to seek refuge in Antarctica or reside in underground shelters. The stark reality is that without oceans to facilitate the water cycle and without vegetation, life on Earth would cease to exist. On a lighter note, we have discovered that attempting to extinguish the sun with ocean water is futile, which is a small consolation in the face of these challenges.

You remain intrigued by one particular question and have one final experiment in mind. Given the extreme heat, you contemplate whether it would be worthwhile to attempt to cool the sun slightly. What if you were to hurl a water sphere the size of the sun at our star? While this notion may seem nearly impossible, one might wonder where one could even acquire a sun-sized volume of water. It is important to note that there is not enough water available, even if we were to gather all the H2O present in our solar system, as the sun comprises 99.8% of the solar system's mass. However, let us entertain the idea that we somehow managed to assemble this colossal sphere of water.

Before we delve into the sun's potential response, consider that this enormous ball of water would contain approximately one billion times the amount of water that exists on Earth—assuming we are referencing the water that was present before it was drained away.

In the vacuum of space, where there is no pressure, the water would begin to boil, transforming into water vapor. However, due to the extremely low temperatures, this vapor would quickly freeze into ice crystals. Observing this massive water sphere from a distance, one would notice a substantial vapor cloud surrounding it as the processes of evaporation and freezing occur.

Furthermore, a water sphere of such magnitude would exert immense pressure at its core. Consequently, this intense gravitational force would lead to a collapse inward. As the pressure at the center escalates, the temperature would rise. Under conditions of high pressure and temperature, the water molecules in the core could begin to move rapidly, potentially leading to their disintegration.

The process begins with the separation of hydrogen and oxygen molecules. As the hydrogen atoms collide, they undergo fusion to create helium, which releases energy in the process. This energy release further elevates the temperature and accelerates the fusion reaction.

Ultimately, this massive sphere of water transforms into a sun, fueled by nuclear fusion at its core. I have always envisioned having two suns; however, an alternative scenario may unfold. The immense pressure within the water sphere, despite being substantial, might not be adequate to initiate the fusion process, resulting in the formation of a brown dwarf, which is classified as a failed star.

What implications would this have for our sun? If this colossal water sphere were positioned adjacent to our sun, it could potentially pose a significant challenge. The water sphere would possess a mass considerably greater than that of the sun, as it is the same size but composed of water, which is denser than hydrogen. Consequently, the sun would spiral into this enormous water counterpart, becoming elongated in the process. This elongation could disrupt the core, where hydrogen fusion occurs. Should the pressure decrease, the fusion process might temporarily slow down. However, as the two suns converge, the fusion could accelerate once more, resulting in an even more powerful, prolonged, and hotter sun.

Is it, then, impossible to disrupt the sun? There remains one final strategy to consider: rather than merely positioning the two suns side by side, what if we could somehow separate the sun into distinct components? What would occur if the water sun and our sun were to interact in this