Astronomers report the first detection of a sugar in interstellar space: erythrulose, a sweet compound also found in raspberries. According to multiple outlets, erythrulose is present in the interstellar medium—vast, diffuse clouds of gas and dust that exist between stars. Researchers identify the sugar within a large molecular cloud located near the Milky Way’s core. The discovery indicates that at least some biologically relevant molecules can form or survive in the cold, low-density environments found between stars. The findings also help broaden understanding of how complex organic chemistry may develop across space and potentially contribute to the raw materials available for later stages of star and planet formation. Scientists emphasize that the detection is based on observations of the chemical signatures associated with erythrulose in the targeted region, marking a milestone in astrochemistry by showing that a known sugar can be present beyond Earth. The work is reported as unprecedented for interstellar sugars, with erythrulose found to be relatively prevalent in the studied cloud.