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

Erythrulose, which has four carbon atoms, is the most complex sugar spotted beyond our Solar System.

The latest discovery in the galactic center strengthens the Milky Way's resemblance to a mouth-watering treat.

Erythrulose—a sugar found in raspberries—is also prevalent in a giant molecular cloud close to our galaxy’s core, scientists have discovered

Astronomers have detected a type of sugar in space that’s also found in raspberries

Detection of erythrulose, also found in raspberries, shows that compounds key to life can form in interstellar space

First interstellar monosaccharide suggests some of life's ingredients may be scattered across the galaxy

Sugar is the same one found in raspberries and fake tan

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe sugar was detected towards a molecular…

Scientists have discovered erythrulose, a type of sugar also found in raspberries, in a gas cloud near the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

NEW YORK — The space between stars just got a little sweeter. Astronomers have detected a type of sugar in space that's also found in raspberries a...

The discovery of sugar in interstellar space provides an important clue about the origins of sugar on Earth and possibly the rise of life.

The space between stars just got a little sweeter. Astronomers have detected a type of sugar in space that's also found in raspberries and...

It turns out the universe has something of a sweet tooth. Astronomers have detected a new type of sugar floating in deep space that may hold clues to how life first emerged on…

A sugar molecule found in raspberries has been detected near the Milky Way's center. This marks the first time the molecule has been identified beyond our Solar System.…

Discover if sugars in our bodies originated from space, as astronomers find complex sugars in deep interstellar clouds.

Astronomers have detected a natural sugar found in raspberries in clouds of interstellar dust and gas near the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

Astronomers have detected a natural sugar found in raspberries in clouds of interstellar dust and gas near the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.

Evidence of erythrulose ‘particularly relevant’ for origin-of-life research

"Our work shows that sugars can form naturally in space."