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Natural sugar discovered in cloud of dust and gas near centre of Milky Way

The Guardian UK Monday 13 July 2026, 15:00 UTC By Ian Sample Science editor 1 min read
Key Points

Detection of erythrulose, also found in raspberries, shows that compounds key to life can form in interstellar spaceA natural sugar found in raspberries and used in fake tan lotions has been detected in an enormous cloud of dust and gas that lurks near the heart of the Milky Way. The discovery does not suggest that the galaxy revolves around a distant civilisation of pale, safety-conscious frugivores, but shows that compounds important for life can form in the frigid expanse between the stars.

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

A natural sugar found in raspberries and used in fake tan lotions has been detected in an enormous cloud of dust and gas that lurks near the heart of the Milky Way.

The discovery does not suggest that the galaxy revolves around a distant civilisation of pale, safety-conscious frugivores, but shows that compounds important for life can form in the frigid expanse between the stars.

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Milky Way Detection of erythrulose (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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