Natural sugar discovered in cloud of dust and gas near centre of Milky Way
Astronomers have detected natural sugar molecules for the first time in interstellar space near the center of the Milky Way.
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The brief
A four-carbon sugar has been discovered within a cloud of dust and gas located near the heart of the Milky Way galaxy. The discovery marks the first time sugar molecules have been found in interstellar space.
Coverage from New Scientist, Nature, and The Guardian emphasizes the presence of these molecules in the galactic center. CBS News notes that the specific sugar detected is also found in raspberries.
Future observation will likely focus on the nature of these molecules floating in the galaxy, as reported by Scientific American and other outlets.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 6h ago.
Quick answers
Where was the sugar discovered?
The sugar was found in a cloud of dust and gas near the center of the Milky Way.
What type of sugar was detected?
According to Nature, a four-carbon sugar was detected.
Is this sugar similar to anything on Earth?
CBS News reports that the sugar discovered in space is also found in raspberries.
Coverage (7)
- A Sweet Surprise: Scientists Find Sugar Deep in Our Galaxy The New York Times · 9h ago
- Study reports the first detection of a sugar in interstellar space Phys.org · 9h ago
- Sugar molecules found in interstellar space for the first time New Scientist · 9h ago
- Something surprisingly sweet lurks near the Milky Way’s heart Scientific American · 9h ago
- Astronomers discover sugar in space that's also found in raspberries: "Just floating out in the galaxy" CBS News · 9h ago
- Detection of a four-carbon sugar in interstellar space Nature · 9h ago
- Natural sugar discovered in cloud of dust and gas near centre of Milky Way The Guardian · 9h ago
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