NASA Science News for June 20, 2000

Scientists have discovered a molecular cousin to table sugar in a giant interstellar cloud known as Sagittarius B2. The discovery of this sugar molecule in a cloud where new stars are forming means it is increasingly likely that chemical precursors to life are formed in such clouds long before planets develop around stars.

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Space Exploration News From Around the Internet, Updated Every Weekday.
June 19, 2000 - Issue #258

SPACE SUGAR DISCOVERED

Astronomers have discovered evidence of simple sugar molecules located in a giant cloud of dust and gas near the center of the Milky Way. The discovery was made using the National Science Foundation's 12 meter radio telescope. Finding this space sugar encourages the possibility that the precursors to life are formed in early solar systems - even before the planets have formed.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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