Space turned out to be much more complex and "sweeter" than scientists had assumed. In a recent study, astronomers discovered molecules of erythrulose—a specific type of sugar—in deep space. This finding, made in interstellar space, could become a decisive argument in the debate over how life originated in the Universe.
Researchers identified erythrulose molecules in thin clouds of gas and dust scattered between stars. These clusters form what is known as the interstellar medium. Notably, this particular type of sugar is often used in modern self-tanning products. Now, its presence has been confirmed in the very heart of the Milky Way.
The Foundation of Life Beyond Earth
The discovery of erythrulose goes far beyond being a mere curiosity. Sugar is a fundamental building block of life: it nourishes cells and plays a role in the construction of DNA. For decades, scientists have been searching for sources of these key ingredients beyond our planet, trying to understand where life came from.
To identify the find, researchers used two powerful radio telescopes located in Spain. They analyzed data from a massive gas cloud, looking for specific radio signals, which were then compared with laboratory samples. The result exceeded expectations: sugar was detected in a gaseous state.
Confirmation of Cosmic Synthesis
This is not the first discovery of sugars in space. About 25 years ago, scientists already recorded the presence of a relative of table sugar. Later, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft brought samples from the asteroid Bennu to Earth, where sweet components were also found. However, the current discovery of erythrulose is of fundamental importance.
It confirms that complex chemical compounds are capable of arising spontaneously in the cosmic environment. The main question of science—"how did we get here?"—has two main theories. The first states that the ingredients of life were delivered to Earth by comets or meteorites. The second asserts that everything necessary was already present in space before the formation of the Solar System. The new study supports the second option.
"This is a promising example of something that simply floats in the galaxy," noted astrophysicist Erica Hamden from the University of Arizona. Although she was not involved in the work, she highly praised its significance for understanding the chemical evolution of the Universe.
Life Could Be Everywhere
If such complex molecules are found in the center of the galaxy, it is logical to assume that they could be widespread. This was stated by the author of the study, Izaskun Jimenez-Serra, from the Spanish Astrobiology Center.
"The key ingredients for the origin of life may be present in other regions of the galaxy, opening up the possibility of life developing in other parts of the Universe," emphasized Jimenez-Serra. In his opinion, sweet molecules could be hiding in the most remote corners of space.
Now, astronomers plan to expand the search to find even more complex sugars and understand the mechanism of their transformation. Each such discovery brings humanity closer to the answer to the eternal question: are we alone in this vast space?