The center of our galaxy smells like raspberries and rum.

In 2009, astronomers using the IRAM 30-meter radio telescope in Spain focused their sights on Sagittarius B2. This is a giant molecular cloud of gas and dust located about 26,000 light-years away near the center of the Milky Way. By analyzing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the cloud, the team from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy identified the chemical signature of ethyl formate.Ethyl formate is an ester that forms when ethanol reacts with formic acid. On Earth, this specific molecule is well-known to organic chemists as the primary volatile compound that gives raspberries their characteristic taste. It is also a major component in the aromatic profile of Jamaican rum, providing that familiar sweet smell.The discovery was part of a larger survey searching for amino acids, which are the building blocks of life, in deep space. While the researchers did not find evidence of glycine during this specific study, they did identify nearly 50 different types of molecules. This suggests that the complex chemistry required for life may be widespread throughout the universe.Sagittarius B2 is one of the largest and most dense star-forming regions in our galaxy, containing billions of times the mass of our Sun in gas. The presence of such complex organic molecules in this harsh environment helps scientists understand how chemical complexity evolves in interstellar space. It proves that even in the vacuum of the cosmos, the ingredients for familiar earthly scents and flavors are constantly being synthesized.