China's Einstein Probe (EP) astronomical satellite, sent into space in January this year, has captured its first in-orbit detection images, which were presented at a parallel forum of the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing on Saturday.
Inspired by the functions of lobster eyes, EP uses new X-ray detection technology to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe that flicker like fireworks.
Yuan Weimin, principal investigator of the EP mission and a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said that since the probe's launch on Jan. 9 this year, commissioning tests have been conducted, confirming the functionality and performance of the EP satellite and its scientific instruments.
"Since the launch of the satellite on Jan. 9 of this year, during this period, our primary objective has been to verify the status of the satellite and the scientific payload. We have obtained numerous observational data, and today, we are here to present the initial findings of these observations to the public. These data are of great importance as they immediately inform us and confirm the proper functioning of our instrument," said Yuan.
During its commissioning phase, EP has detected 17 X-ray transients and 127 stellar flares. These findings have guided a range of ground-based and space-based telescopes in follow-up observations in multiple wavebands, Yuan said.
Preliminary analysis of the data from EP and other telescopes has confirmed EP's potential to discover diverse X-ray sources and even new types of objects, and its important role in unveiling the evolution of the universe and the structure of spacetime, Yuan added.
"This image displayed represents what our wide-field X-ray telescope captured after being powered on. This is an image of an X-ray captured from a part of our Milky Way galaxy. This demonstrates that our instrument is capable of simultaneously observing the X-ray activity of a large number of celestial bodies. This image depicts the discovery of a rapid X-ray transient source during the calibration phase of the wide-field telescope. This source suddenly appeared in the sky and lasted for less than 100 seconds before quickly disappearing," Yuan said.
China's Einstein Probe satellite captures its first in-orbit images
Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a French agricultural goods firm, is eying expanded investment and growth in China and closer ties with its companies, said a regional executive for the company.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Nicolas Maguin, COO of the North Asia region at LDC, highlighted the company's persistent trade with Chinese companies over the decades.
"LDC's long trading history in China dates back to our first cotton trade more than half a century ago. We have since been benefiting from China's reform and opening up, which contributed to shaping a growing and attractive market through embracing international trade, facilitating foreign investment and engaging with new technologies, production methods and talent," he said.
Maguin noted that China's development philosophy, including its determination to rapidly develop innovative production environments and capabilities, is in line with the company's strategy.
"Today, China is also embracing the 'new quality productive forces', which requires continuous and disruptive breakthroughs in science and technology. And this approach aligns very well with LDC's own transformational strategy, a key driver of which is to push integration and innovation across all our value chains. China's vast consumer market, with increasing demand for high-quality, diversity products, and with emerging new business models, is extremely important to LDC in relation to our strategic road map," the COO said.
In particular, Maguin mentioned the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as a key platform to promote the company in China and explore cooperation opportunities.
"We appreciate the CIIE as a key opportunity to engage with Chinese stakeholders and drive collaborations, as we developed new products and services that meet evolving market demands and expectations. Finally, as China advances green and low-carbon developments, LDC is actively exploring new pathways to advance de-carbonization goals. As a company that has built profound relations with China over more than 50 years, we look forward to keeping on working with like-minded local partners whose competencies complement our own, as we continue investing in and growing with China," he said.
Over the years, China-France economic and trade cooperation continues to expand. Two-way trade between China and France has reached 78.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.
China is now France's largest trading partner in Asia, while France ranks as China's third-largest trading partner within the European Union (EU).
French food firm aims for closer ties with Chinese partners
