Tianwen-1's high-resolution camera,

China: Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter Captures Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS! (7.11.2025)

It is thought to have formed around ancient stars near the centre of the Milky Way and may be older than the solar system itself, offering rare insight into the composition and evolution of exoplanetary material.

The Tianwen-1 team began preparing for the observation in early September this year. With ATLAS moving at about 58 kilometres per second and appearing 10,000 to 100,000 times dimmer than the Martian surface, the mission faced an extreme technical challenge in image targeting and stability.

Originally designed for Mars surface observation, Tianwen-1 has been orbiting the planet since February 2021.

The successful observation of ATLAS marks an extension of the probe’s mission, serving as a test for China’s upcoming Tianwen-2 asteroid mission.

World's first solar magnetic-field telescope operating in the mid-infrared wavelength range!

China: World’s First Solar Magnetic-Field Telescope Operating in the Mid-Infrared Wavelength Range! (23.10.2025)

The world’s first solar magnetic-field telescope operating in the mid-infrared wavelength range has officially become operational after gaining government approval, marking a major breakthrough in solar magnetic field research.

The telescope, known as the Accurate Infrared Magnetic Field Measurements of the Sun, or AIMS, is located in Lenghu township, Qinghai province, at an average altitude of about 4,000 meters. AIMS’ development addresses a long-standing bottleneck in the century-old history of solar magnetic field measurements by achieving a leap from indirect to direct measurement, scientists said.

“The sun, being the only star we can observe with high precision, has a magnetic field that acts as the energy switch driving intense solar activities such as flares and coronal mass ejections. Yet, more than half the sun’s overall magnetic field manifestations are relatively weak, with strengths of only a few dozen gauss,” said Deng Yuanyong, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who led the telescope’s construction.

Fragments of impactor residues identified in the lunar soil of Chang'e-6 in this study. Photo courtesy of the scientific research team of the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

China: Scientists Discover Rare Meteorite Relics in Chang’e-6 Far-Side Lunar Samples! (21.10.2025)

Using advanced techniques to examine mineral composition and oxygen isotopes, the researchers scrutinized lunar soil and confirmed that the fragments came from CI-like chondrites — a type of meteorite rich in water and organic materials that typically originates in the outer Solar System.

The study implies that the Earth-Moon system may have experienced more collisions from carbonaceous chondrites than scientists had previously estimated.

This discovery not only indicates that material from the outer Solar System can migrate to the inner Solar System, but also has important implications for explaining the origin of water on the lunar surface, said Lin Mang, a researcher at GIG.

reached Earth after traveling 10 billion years through space

Space: Fast Radio Burst [FRB] Reaches Earth After Travelling 10 Billion Years! (23.9.2025)

Why cosmic noon matters

The burst came from a time nicknamed “cosmic noon,” when the universe was forming stars at its fastest rate.

Astronomers see a peak in the cosmic star formation history about 10 to 11 billion years ago, and this event sits in that era.

Finding an FRB there matters for more than a date on a timeline. It shows that whatever powers FRBs was active when young galaxies were busy building their stars.

“This discovery doubles the redshift reach of localized FRBs. Our observations establish FRB activity during the peak of cosmic star formation” wrote Caleb.

China Manned Moon-Shot!

China: Socialist Manned Lunar-Landing Set for 2030! (8.8.2025)

The lunar lander, named Lanyue, which means embracing the moon, consists of both a landing module and a propulsion module. It is a newly developed spacecraft designed to support crewed missions to and from the moon.

It will be used to transport two cosmonauts between the lunar orbit and the lunar surface — and will carry a lunar rover and other scientific payloads. After landing, the lander will serve as a life-support centre, an energy centre and a data centre, offering assistance and serving as a base for the cosmonauts’ stay and activities on the moon’s surface.

Noting that the test was complex with a long cycle and technical challenges, the space agency said the success represents a breakthrough in research and development in terms of China’s manned lunar exploration programme.

Chinese Science - Space Hospital Could Look Like This!

China: Futuristic Space Hospital Being Designed! (7.8.2025)

The Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology and the Shanghai Engineering Centre for Microsatellites recently signed a cooperation agreement to jointly establish a space hospital in the future. This project aims to enhance astronauts’ health and expand in-orbit medical monitoring and life support capabilities.

The future space hospital will make breakthroughs in fields such as aerospace, medicine and biology, and conduct cutting-edge research in space life and health support. It will also prepare research on non-astronauts space travel, interstellar exploration and other space health support needs, the China Science Daily reported Wednesday.

1 2 3 4 16