Shanghai University majoring in aerial photography.

Young people gather together for common interests and walk side by side in the journey of exploring the stars. In their eyes, astronomy and romance are not contradictory, and the unknown and vastness are full of surprises.

Nanjing

nanjing university jinling college

Astronomical society

Astronomy is a discipline that studies the structure and development of celestial bodies and the universe, constantly extending people's horizons to the depths of the new universe, and how romantic can this discipline closely related to physics be? Lawrence Kraus said, "Every atom in your body comes from an exploding star. The atoms that form your left hand may come from different stars than those that form your right hand. This is the most poetic thing in physics I know-you are all stardust. "

The Shanghai Planetarium, the largest planetarium in the world, will be officially opened on July 17, and will be open to the public from July 18. This planetarium also has a unique architectural design called "a place to talk to the sky". The whole building is like a large astronomical instrument, which can show the passage of time. It not only shows the concept of astronomy, but also tracks the movement of the sun in the sky, "shielding" the noise of the city and everything around it, so that people in it can quietly watch the sky and think about the universe.

Man's exploration of the universe has never stopped. In June this year, with the blessing of countless people in China, the Shenzhou 12 astronaut successfully entered the China Space Station, which was the first time that China people really entered the space station and walked out of the hatch to "touch" the vast world more closely.

This season, Iris Van Herpen also launched a brand-new high-definition series called "Earthrise", inspired by exploring the earth. By cooperating with Domitille Kiger, the world champion of French women's parachuting, Haute Couture was brought to the sky, expressing the designer's yearning and pursuit for space and future technology.

At this node, nylon found members of the Astronomical Society of Jinling College of Nanjing University to discuss their "astronomy" and feel their "romance".

At the beginning, what made you decide to join the astronomical society?

Zhu Huiwen:

I loved astronomy very much since I was a child. When I learned that there was an astronomical society in my school, I couldn't wait to join it.

Zhang Yizhen:

In the summer vacation before my sophomore year, I retired from the University Student Union. I feel a little bored and want to find something to do. Because the astronomy club in high school was founded by my respected physics teacher, I was the first member, which was a tribute to him and also spread the spark. Later, I chatted with my classmates and heard that a freshman also wanted to set up an astronomical society, and then he founded the society with him.

Zhou Cheng:

I saw the recruitment booth of our club when I was recruiting new students in the school club. I like science and technology and the universe since I was a child, so I find it very interesting. Remember when I asked the president that joining the astronomical society required a foundation? The president said no, so I was relieved to add it.

As far as I know, South China Nanjing University has no astronomy major. Where do you usually get your expertise in astronomy? Is there a tutor?

Zhou Cheng:

We have our own self-improvement class, and the principal will organize the class to explain a lot of basic knowledge. In addition to basic self-improvement courses, we also have many external activities to acquire knowledge. For example, when I was a sophomore, I attended the China Tian Quan Lake Astronomy Forum. I met a lot of bosses at that event, and they talked a lot on the spot, such as the story behind the dark matter example detection satellite Wukong, China's Fast radio telescope and so on. Usually, outdoor star appearance activities will be organized regularly, including playground and flag-raising platform. Outside the school, we went to the Xuyi Observatory of Purple Mountain Observatory of Chinese Academy of Sciences for observation activities.

There are many activities in our club, and we can learn a lot.

Astronomy is a scientific and rational subject for most people, but it is full of romance for you. What moments made you love astronomy more?

Wang Junyao:

I can't say which moment loves astronomy more, nor is it specific romance, but the unknown and "ignorance". I will realize more insignificance and long for the opportunity to see a wider universe and let me touch a higher-dimensional world.

Zhou Cheng:

There is no conflict between reason and romance. The name of our club is Song, which comes from Qu Yuan's Songs of the South. It is very romantic. China Aerospace is also very romantic. The lunar probe is called Chang 'e, the lunar rover is called Moon Rabbit, the communication satellite is called Queqiao, and the solar probe is called Kuafu. So there is no conflict between reason and romance. If I prefer astronomical moments, it should be my first visit to the starry sky. It was still spring, and it was very cold. Our headmaster rented a car to take us to Xuyi to see the stars. We drove on the road for a long time and finally reached the top of the mountain. In fact, it is particularly cold at night. In order to avoid light pollution, we should try to reduce the use of lights. But when you see the stars overhead and the meteors passing by, you will feel special.

Do you feel lonely about the existence of astronomical societies under many restrictions, such as limited funds and limited members of the societies?

Zhang Yizhen:

I think in the university campus, unknown societies like ours account for the majority. As long as there are a group of people who can play together and have common interests, they will not feel lonely.

Zhou Cheng:

I think it is more appropriate to use the word "Buddhism" to describe our community. We are gathered together because of common interests. If there is an activity, we will participate together. Even if there is no activity, we are good friends in private. It is never external conditions that determine the existence of a community, but people. As long as a person is still in the astronomical society and still thinking about it, he will not be lonely.

Zhou Cheng:

It will be more inclined to photography, but it doesn't matter if there is no foundation. Yang, the second president of our club, studied urban and rural planning and was very proficient in photography. Many of our clubs are from the Media College, so everyone's photography has a certain foundation and equipment.

Zhu Huiwen:

Of course, the celestial photography of our sub-agency is awesome! For the first time, I took a clear picture of the moon through a telescope with my mobile phone. I was really excited!

What kind of club activities do you have at present?

Zhu Huiwen:

Usually there will be self-improvement courses in the school, and there will be star-watching activities when the weather is right. Outside the school, we will visit the Purple Mountain Observatory and Xuyi National Observatory. Of course, camping all night watching meteors is really a very special experience. The moment I saw the meteor, I felt that all the waiting was worth it. Sometimes, I will participate in some activities with the Astronomical Union of Nanjing University, such as Yang's astronomical popularization and Tianquan Lake Astronomical Forum.

What do you think is the best place to watch stars in school/Nanjing? Tell me about your most impressive stargazing experience?

Zhou Cheng:

Light pollution in Nanjing is still serious. Actually, it's not suitable for stargazing. You can look at the moon. What impressed me the most was the first time. Go to Xuyi to observe the starry sky, where the light pollution is relatively less serious. This is the first time I really know what "a boat full of stars" means. I usually live in the city, and it is shocking to see such a starry sky only in books and online.

By linking astronomy with games, you popularize astronomy in a more "people-friendly" way. Are there any new games related to astronomy recommended recently?

Zhang Yizhen:

Recently, a game named "Mars Horizon" was released, mainly playing the simulation operation of the Space Administration, which is a popular science game in space. The main content is the development history of aerospace industry in various countries before 2020.

Besides games, what other movies and books related to astronomy can be recommended to ordinary people who are interested in astronomy?

Zhu Huiwen:

The film itself likes 200 1 space odyssey, interstellar rescue, a guide to the galaxy odyssey, a documentary about our planet, books including Clark's space odyssey tetralogy and Mr. Hawking's brief history of time.

Zhou Cheng:

Many related documentaries are good, such as Stargazing Guide, Journey to Time and Space, and Journey to the Edge of the Universe. You can visit Mile Mile.

Are there any development goals for the future astronomical society? What kind of help do you want the club to get from the school?

Zhou Cheng:

Personally, I still hope that more people can understand astronomy and reduce the sense of distance. Due to the impact of the epidemic, our activities in 2020 are not particularly many. I hope that our activities can be more abundant under the premise of safety in the future.

I hope the school can provide some channels to participate in activities, and many activities will be more accessible with the participation of the school. Moreover, we hope that the school can support astronomy education and invite some famous teachers and experts to the school regularly, hoping that the school will have a stronger astronomical atmosphere.

"Astronomy, ask heaven", what role does astronomy play in your daily life besides hobbies? What strength have I given you?

Zhu Huiwen:

When I was a volunteer in the Purple Mountain Observatory, I was able to answer questions with my own knowledge every time, which was very fulfilling. Especially when you meet people who also love astronomy, communicating together can broaden your knowledge and learn new knowledge. Hawking said: "Remember to look up at the planet instead of looking down at your feet. It is most important to try to understand what we see and explore the mystery of the existence of the universe. " When we observe space, we are also looking for our own origins. Since the birth of mankind, the stars in the sky have been with us. Every time I think about it, I will be cured when I look up at the stars in the sky when I am lost.

Zhou Cheng:

Astronomy is also part of my present job. I am now working as an intern in an internet company. The channel I am in charge of is the science and technology channel, and I often come into contact with many program creators about the astronomical universe. At work, I often recommend many programs about astronomy on the company's App technology channel, and I will also arrange resources for them. I hope to let more people know about cosmic astronomy.

I think the word strength is a little big. On the other hand, the Astronomical Society has made me more interested in my study and work. I will know more than others, participate in more activities, have more channels to meet friends, and get bonuses at work. Astronomy should appear imperceptibly in my life.

The school will leave here in 2023, so leave a message for the starry sky in Nanjing.

Zhu Huiwen:

Thanks to four years of company, we will advance in imaginative poetry and explore the world fearlessly.

Zhang Yizhen:

The eternal starry sky in our eyes is not eternal, but what is short in the starry sky is really short.