Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe sugar was detected towards a molecular cloud near the centre of our Milky Way galaxy (Getty/iStock)Scientists have discovered erythrulose, a natural sugar also found in raspberries and fake tan, floating in interstellar space. The sugar was detected towards a molecular cloud near the centre of our Milky Way galaxy, marking the first time such a complex sugar has been found in the interstellar medium. This finding could fundamentally change the search for alien life, as sugars are vital components of DNA and RNA and are believed to be central to the origin of life. The discovery of a complex four-carbon sugar challenges prevailing astrochemical theories that suggest interstellar molecules grow sequentially by adding single carbon atoms. Researchers propose that this sugar could have arrived on Earth during the Late Heavy Bombardment approximately four billion years ago, potentially aiding the initial development of life. In fullScientists find curious material floating in space – and it could fundamentally change the search for lifeMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Natural sugar found in raspberries and fake tan found floating in space
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe sugar was detected towards a molecular cloud near the centre of our Milky Way galaxy (Getty/iStock)Scientists have discovered erythrulose, a natural sugar also found in raspberries and fake tan, floating in interstellar space. The sugar was detected towards a molecular cloud near the centre of our Milky Way galaxy, marking the first time such a complex sugar has been found in the interstellar medium. This finding could fundamentally change the search for alien life, as sugars are vital components of DNA and RNA and are believed to be central to the origin of life. The discovery of a complex four-carbon sugar challenges prevailing astrochemical theories that suggest interstellar molecules grow sequentially by adding single carbon atoms. Researchers propose that this sugar could have arrived on Earth during the Late Heavy Bombardment approximately four billion years ago, potentially aiding the initial development of life. In fullScientists find curious material floating in space – and it could fundamentally change the search for lifeMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
