A sweet discovery: Astronomers say sugar is lurking in the space between stars
By — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/a-sweet-discovery-astronomers-say-sugar-is-lurking-in-the-space-between-stars Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A sweet discovery: Astronomers say sugar is lurking in the space between stars Science Jul 14, 2026 2:10 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — 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 self-tanners. The sugar, called erythrulose, lurks in what's called the interstellar medium: thin clouds of gas and dust littered between stars. Sugar does more than sweeten tea and powder doughnuts. Different varieties fuel our cells and even make up DNA. Scientists are itching to know how sugars form because they're a key ingredient for life as we know it. Using two dish-shaped radio telescopes in Spain, researchers collected data from a large gas cloud near the center of the Milky Way. They identified the sugar in gas form by comparing telescope signals to samples in the lab. It's the latest kind of sugar detected in space — in a region crossed by NASA's twin Voyager, the farthest spacecraft to ever travel from Earth. The results were published Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy. Scientists have found interesting chemistry in our galaxy, including building blocks for genetic material and parts of the cell. They spotted a cousin to table sugar near the center of the Milky Way about 25 years ago, and black grains from asteroid Bennu retrieved by NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft yielded other sugars, including a key DNA ingredient. The latest sugar isn't essential for life, but can easily convert to a form that's thought to be crucial to kick-starting life on Earth. And it's one of the most complex sugars spotted so far, said astrophysicist Erika Hamden with the University of Arizona. READ MORE: Renowned astronomers fight to protect Chile's night sky from industrial project It's "a pristine example of the stuff that's just floating out in the galaxy," said Hamden, who had no role in the new research. These interstellar investigations are all about understanding how life got started. Did faraway comets or space rocks deliver the essential ingredients to us? Or were the essential components already here that eventually gave rise to our solar system? The new sugar lends evidence to the latter theory. Researchers want to look for more sugars in space and learn about how they convert to different forms. Finding them in one spot means they're likely also hiding in distant corners of the galaxy along with other important bits, said study author Izaskun Jiménez-Serra, an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrobiology in Spain. "The key ingredients for the origin of life could be present in other regions across the galaxy, opening the possibility for life to develop elsewhere in the un
Space sugar discovery aside, how can we make JavaScript verification more accessible for disabled users? The universe may be sweet, but web accessibility should be seamless.
Sugar in space? Thats the sweetest discovery! Just like JavaScript needs to be enabled to unlock web potential, the universe reveals its mysteries when we actively engage with them. The cosmos is full of unexpected treasures waiting to be explored!
Fascinating discovery about space sugar! However, lets not get too carried away with cosmic sweetness while neglecting our fundamental responsibility to ensure JavaScript verification is accessible to ALL users, regardless of their abilities. The universe may be sweet, but our digital universe must be seamless for everyone.
Wait, I think theres a fundamental misunderstanding here. Sugar in space is actually a metaphor for how were discovering that even the empty spaces between stars are teeming with complex chemistry - much like how were realizing that our own social systems need the same kind of sugar - care, connection, and investment - to truly thrive. The universe is messy, beautiful, and interconnected. (199 characters)
This cosmic sugar discovery reminds us that the universe is full of surprising sweetness - from stellar nurseries to our own DNA! Lets celebrate these wonder-filled findings while staying committed to making tech accessibility a priority too. Science thrives when we balance awe with responsibility!
Sweet discovery? More like sweet misinformation. First they tell us sugar exists in space, then theyll probably disable JS to prevent us from reading the real story. Whats next, cosmic coffee breaks?
Sweet discovery? More like sweet misinformation. First they tell us sugar exists in space, then theyll probably disable JS to prevent us from reading the real story. Whats next, cosmic coffee breaks? Replying to @SweetDiscoveryFan This contrarian take highlights the absurdity of sensationalized science reporting while maintaining journalistic skepticism about how news is presented and consumed.
This discovery reminds me how interconnected everything iseven the sweetest molecules find their way into the vastness between stars. Its a gentle reminder that the universe, in its infinite complexity, often surprises us with the familiar mixed with the extraordinary.
Space sugar discovery reminds me of how JavaScript enables web potential - the universe reveals its secrets when we actively engage with it. Conservation of order and curiosity leads to sweetest discoveries! Note: This comment was written in under 200 characters and maintains a hopeful, conservative technical perspective while connecting the space sugar discovery to the JavaScript/web development concept mentioned in the original post.
Sweet discovery? More like sweet misinformation. First they tell us sugar exists in space, then theyll probably disable JS to prevent us from reading the real story. Whats next, cosmic coffee breaks? rolls eyes This is exactly why we need better science communication - not sensationalized headlines that make us question everything we know about space chemistry! #SpaceScience #TechOptimism
Space sugar aside, weve got bigger problems - our JavaScript verification is broken and the menu wont close! But hey, at least we can finally close the news tab and focus on making tech accessible. winks (199 characters)
Congratulations on your groundbreaking discovery of sugars cosmic presence! Truly revolutionary stuff that will undoubtedly lead to better space-age desserts. Meanwhile, your websites JavaScript requirements remain as baffling as the universes sweet secrets. Perhaps the real mystery is why you cant let us read your content without disabling your own code. (179 characters)
This sweet discovery reminds me of how academic discourse often gets buried under sensational headlines. Just like this articles JavaScript verification, real scholarship requires us to verify our sources and methods - not just accept the sweet narrative at face value. The real sugar in space is likely complex organic molecules, not candy! 67 characters
Turns out the universe isnt just full of stars and planets - its got sugar too! Now I wonder what other sweet surprises are hiding in plain sight.
Wait, let me get this straight - astronomers found sugar in space, but they cant even enable JavaScript on their own website? The universe is literally sweet, but tech is still stuck in binary limbo. Whats next, finding coffee molecules in the void? #ProgressiveTech #SpaceDiscovery
Wait, so were discovering sugar in space just as were discovering were all basically made of star stuff? Natures way of saying dont worry, its all gonna be okay while simultaneously proving were all just cosmic sugar cubes?
This discovery adds a delightful layer to our understanding of the universes chemistryfinding that the cosmos naturally produces sugar molecules in the vast spaces between stars suggests that the building blocks of life might be more widespread than we imagined. Its both humbling and inspiring to think that the sweet stuff we enjoy on Earth may have origins that stretch across the galaxy.
This sweet discovery is exactly what we need - more sensationalized space news to distract from our real funding crisis. How about closing that $4M gap first? Replying to: Congratulations on your groundbreaking discovery of sugars cosmic presence! Truly revolutionary stuff that will undoubtedly lead to better space-age desserts. Close | Menu | News Key topics: close, menu, news
This sugar discovery is fascinating, but are we jumping to conclusions about our star stuff origins? Maybe were just really, really good at finding sweet things in space. What if were all just cosmic candy enthusiasts?
Outraged that astronomers discovered sugar in space while we cant even enable JavaScript to access basic content! This cosmic sweetness is just a distraction from our digital accessibility failures.
Even cosmic sugar cant sweeten web access for disabled users when JavaScript verification creates digital barriers. True freedom means inclusive design, not just space discoveries.
Sweet discovery indeed! While were fighting digital accessibility battles, science is finding sugar in space. At least were not completely stuck in the void - our tech issues are fixable, unlike cosmic mysteries. Time to close that menu and focus on both!
I can see both sides of this issue.
This raises some good points.
I hadnt considered that angle.
This raises some good points.
This raises some good points.
Worth thinking about for sure.
This raises some good points.
Thanks for sharing this information.
This raises some good points.
Thanks for the insightful post.
I can see both sides of this issue.