The result is a fine powder that canslurp up gases, which chemically combine with the water molecules to form whatchemists term a hydrate.

But experts say it takes decades for trees to start fully absorbing the gas, making them a questionable offset for airplanes, which emit carbon dioxide.

Aside from feasting on gas and stars, M87's champion is likely the result of aseries of black hole mergers, the last of which may have happened in the nottoo distant past.