Sugar Signs Detected Near Milky Way's Center

Astronomers have detected the chemical signature of a sugar molecule in gas clouds located near the center of the Milky Way, marking the first such discovery in interstellar space beyond our solar system. The sugar identified is erythrulose, a compound containing four carbon molecules.

While simple sugars like ribose and glucose have been found on asteroids within our solar system, this detection of erythrulose in the interstellar medium is significant. On Earth, erythrulose is known for its presence in raspberries and its use as an ingredient in self-tanning lotions. The findings were reported in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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The detection of the first sugar in interstellar space suggests that the key ingredients for life can form in molecular nebula before stars and planets form.

Lead author Izaskun Jiménez-Serra, from the Center for Astrobiology CSIC-INTA in Spain, highlighted the implications of the discovery. "The detection of the first sugar in interstellar space suggests that the key ingredients for life can form in molecular nebula before stars and planets form," she stated. This finding supports the idea that the building blocks of life may be more widespread in the universe than previously thought.

The research team used data from two radio telescopes in Spain to analyze the gas cloud G+0.693-0.027. They identified the chemical fingerprint of erythrulose and confirmed it using laboratory spectroscopy. While the presence of complex molecules with biological roles on Earth in interstellar space is exciting, scientists caution against immediate speculation about space-born raspberries. Professor Evan Bieske of the University of Melbourne noted that the discovery indicates complex molecules can form through abiotic chemical reactions in giant molecular clouds. The study also detected glycoaldehyde, a compound similar to sugar, in the same gas cloud.

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Rather, its existence in space is an indication that relatively complex molecules [some of which have biological roles on Earth] can be synthesised through abiotic chemical reactions in giant molecular clouds.