ScienceJuly 13, 2026
astrochemistry
/ˌæstroʊˈkɛmɪstri/
Definition
The study of chemical processes and the composition of matter occurring in the interstellar medium, such as the detection of sugars between stars.
Etymology
The word is a blend of the Greek 'astron' (star) and the word 'chemistry,' which originates from the Greek 'khemeia' (transmutation) and Arabic 'al-kimiya.' It combines these roots to describe the chemical analysis of the celestial environment.
In the news
In the article, astrochemistry is the field used to identify the sugar erythrulose within gas clouds in space. This research helps scientists investigate whether the building blocks of life are distributed throughout our galaxy.
In a sweet discovery, astronomers find sugar lurking in the space between stars
Read the full article ↗The Tribune-Democrat