More than 120 molecular species found in giant cloud near Milky Way's center

Astronomers have discovered a new molecular cloud near the center of the Milky Way, containing over 120 identified species. This cloud, named G+0.633-0.0604 or G+0.633, is the first confirmed chemical twin of another famous molecule-rich cloud, G+0.693-0.027, located near the Milky Way's central black hole. The newly found cloud shares many similarities with its counterpart, including a shock-dominated chemistry and a similar temperature mismatch pattern.

The researchers, led by David San Andrés of the Center for Astrobiology in Spain, detected several complex molecules, including ethanolamine, sp-glycolamide, and various cyanomethanimine isomers. These findings suggest that the remarkable chemistry associated with G+0.693-0.027 may not be a cosmic oddity and could be commonplace wherever the right physical conditions exist.