分类： science

A recent study published in *Nature Astronomy* has unraveled the mystery behind the unexpectedly sticky lunar soil collected from the far side of the moon by China’s Chang’e 6 robotic probe. Unlike the loose, sandy regolith from the moon’s near side, the far side samples were clumpy and cohesive, a phenomenon now attributed to space weathering and the unique geometry of the soil particles. The research, led by Qi Shengwen from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Geology and Geophysics, reveals that the far side regolith consists of extremely small, jagged, and sharp particles, averaging 48.4 microns in diameter. These properties, combined with the effects of prolonged exposure to micrometeoroid bombardment and solar winds, create a cohesive environment. The study highlights the violent history of the lunar far side, which has been subjected to intense space weathering, resulting in the formation of irregular-shaped globs. The findings are not only of scientific interest but also have practical implications for future lunar exploration and base construction. Understanding the soil’s texture is crucial for designing equipment and infrastructure that can withstand the abrasive and sticky nature of the regolith. China’s ambitious space program, which aims to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, will benefit from these insights as engineers develop new technologies for lunar exploration.

China has taken a monumental step in advancing fusion energy research by launching an international program dedicated to studying fusion burning plasma. The initiative, unveiled on Monday in Hefei, Anhui province, is spearheaded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Plasma Physics. This groundbreaking program opens access to several major fusion research platforms, including the state-of-the-art Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) facility, currently under construction in Hefei and set for completion by late 2027. Fusion energy, often referred to as the ‘artificial sun,’ replicates the sun’s power generation process and is considered a revolutionary clean energy source. The BEST facility, unlike its predecessors, is designed to demonstrate the actual ‘burning’ of deuterium-tritium plasma, a critical milestone for sustainable fusion power generation. At the program’s launch, scientists from over 10 countries, including France, the UK, and Germany, signed the Hefei Fusion Declaration, pledging to promote open science and foster global collaboration in fusion research. This initiative underscores China’s commitment to leading the global transition to clean energy and addressing the world’s energy challenges through innovative scientific advancements.

In a critical mission to ensure the safety of its astronauts, China launched the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft on Tuesday. This move comes after a damaged spacecraft left a crew temporarily stranded on the Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou 22 successfully docked at the station and is slated to be used by the three astronauts who arrived on November 1, 2023, with its return mission planned for 2026. Earlier this month, another group of astronauts from the Shenzhou 20 mission experienced a nine-day delay in their return to Earth due to damage to their spacecraft’s window. They were eventually brought back using the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft, which had just delivered a replacement crew to Tiangong. While the three-person crew landed safely, their replacements were left without a guaranteed emergency return option. The damaged Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, currently still in orbit, will be brought back to Earth for assessment, as it was deemed unsafe for transporting astronauts. This incident highlights the challenges faced by China’s rapidly advancing space program, which has been constructing the Tiangong space station module-by-module in recent years. Tiangong, meaning ‘Heavenly Palace,’ hosted its first crew in 2021 and is smaller than the International Space Station, which has been operational for 25 years. China developed Tiangong after being excluded from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns, as its space program is controlled by the military.

Chinese researchers have unveiled the scientific mystery behind the unexpectedly sticky lunar soil collected by the Chang’e 6 mission from the far side of the moon. Published in *Nature Astronomy*, the study reveals that the soil’s unique texture is due to a combination of extremely fine particles and irregular, jagged shapes. This discovery has significant implications for future lunar exploration and base construction. Led by Qi Shengwen from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, the team conducted a series of tests, including an ‘angle of repose’ experiment, which demonstrated that the far-side soil behaves more like damp Earth soil than loose, sandy lunar dust. High-resolution CT scans of over 290,000 individual grains revealed that the particles are exceptionally small, averaging 48.4 microns in diameter, and unusually sharp. The researchers attribute this texture to the moon’s violent history of space weathering, including constant micrometeoroid bombardment and solar wind exposure. The findings are crucial for addressing engineering challenges in future lunar missions, such as preventing soil from clogging machinery or damaging equipment. As China accelerates its space program, aiming to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, this research provides a foundation for developing lunar infrastructure and resource utilization.

The elusive Sapria himalayana, a rare holoparasitic flowering plant, has once again entered its blooming period in the Mengla Nature Reserve Rainforest, located in Yunnan province’s Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture. This marks the third consecutive year the plant has been observed flowering in the area, according to local forest rangers. The plant, classified as a second-class nationally protected species, sporadically emerges from the humus layer of primary rainforests and grows directly from the roots of its host plant, Tetrastigma. Sapria himalayana, the only species of the Rafflesiaceae family found in China, lacks stems, roots, or leaves and cannot perform photosynthesis. It relies entirely on nutrients from its host plant and blooms only during its reproductive period from September to December each year. The consistent appearance of this rare plant underscores the ecological integrity of the Mengla Nature Reserve. Found exclusively in Yunnan and Motuo county in the Xizang autonomous region, Sapria himalayana remains exceptionally rare in China. Due to the absence of established conservation or cultivation technologies for parasitic plants, in situ conservation is the primary method for preserving its population.

China has inaugurated an international science program dedicated to advancing fusion burning plasma research, marking a significant step in global scientific collaboration. The program, launched in Hefei, the capital of East China’s Anhui province, was initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Plasma Physics. It aims to provide scientists worldwide with access to several major fusion research platforms, including the state-of-the-art Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak facility in Hefei. This initiative underscores China’s commitment to fostering international cooperation in the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy solutions through nuclear fusion, often referred to as the ‘artificial sun.’ The program is expected to accelerate breakthroughs in fusion technology, which could revolutionize energy production by mimicking the processes that power the sun. By opening its research facilities to global experts, China is positioning itself as a leader in the field of fusion energy, which holds the potential to address global energy challenges and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

A groundbreaking science exhibition, collaboratively developed by China and South Africa, is currently underway in Johannesburg, symbolizing a significant milestone in the bilateral partnership in science, technology, and cultural exchange. Titled ‘L.I.S.T.E.N Science Space,’ the exhibition is a joint initiative of the China Science and Technology Museum and South Africa’s Sci-Bono Discovery Center, occupying a 200-square-meter space within the latter’s premises. The exhibition is ingeniously divided into four thematic zones, each designed to stimulate innovative thinking, explore scientific principles embedded in traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage, offer an immersive space exploration experience, and showcase the allure of bionic robot dogs. Beyond the exhibits, the event features regular open science classes, enabling visitors to engage in hands-on scientific activities. The China Science and Technology Museum has contributed its vast resources and expertise in science education, while the Sci-Bono Discovery Center has tailored the content to resonate with local audiences, exemplifying a model of cooperation aimed at fostering a shared future between China and Africa. The exhibition’s inauguration aligns with South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Summit, presenting a tangible demonstration of the fruitful collaboration between China and Africa to international delegates. Looking ahead, both nations intend to utilize this platform to expand bilateral cooperation through joint research, the creation of a digital resource library, and personnel exchanges, thereby sustaining the momentum for deepening China-Africa relations and enhancing mutual understanding.

Beijing recently hosted an international dialogue titled ‘Connecting the World: Youth Power in Open Science,’ bringing together young innovators from diverse scientific disciplines. The event, held on Friday, highlighted the pivotal role of young scientists in fostering global scientific collaboration amidst the challenges of technological competition and the evolving open science landscape. Attendees included researchers from aerospace, life sciences, and disaster risk reduction, who shared insights on the opportunities and hurdles in international scientific partnerships. Ren Xiaoqiang, a researcher at China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, emphasized the critical contributions of young scientists, noting their professionalism, rigor, openness, and passion as key drivers in China’s deep space exploration endeavors. Stephanie Stone, a US reporter at China Daily, highlighted the significance of global technological collaboration in cultural heritage preservation, citing recent Sino-Egyptian efforts in archaeological digitization as a prime example of how technology can safeguard human history while shaping the future.