Astronomers Discover Natural Sugar in Interstellar Space
Summary
Astronomers have discovered a natural sugar called erythritol in an interstellar cloud near the Milky Way's center, suggesting complex sugars can form in space before stars and planets.
Key Points
- Astronomers discovered erythritol, a natural sugar, in the interstellar cloud G+0.693-0.027 near the Milky Way's center.
- This discovery suggests that complex sugars can form in space prior to the formation of stars and planets.
- The research used radio telescopes in Spain to identify the sugar by its radio wave signals.
- Finding sugar in interstellar space strengthens the hypothesis that organic compounds necessary for life existed before the solar system formed.
