Astronomy enthusiasts from across China were given a stunning celestial treat overnight on Wednesday as they gathered in the northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to observe the spectacular Perseid meteor showers which streaked across the night sky.
The Perseids, one of the most highly anticipated annual meteor showers, is visible for several weeks through the summer and peaked during the night from Wednesday into Thursday -- with Ningxia offering perfect conditions to watch the phenomenon unfold.
Meteors, also known as shooting stars, are the glowing trails of cosmic dust and rock left behind by comets or asteroids.
The Perseid meteor shower, associated with comet Swift-Tuttle, is usually observable from mid-July to early September.
"The bigger the moon, the fewer chances that people can observe meteor shower. Fortunately, there is no moon at the time of the year. So, the observation condition is the best," said Liu Pushun, director of Haba Lake Observatory.
"We came here specifically to watch the shooting stars. We're planning to just sleep in the car tonight," said Zeng Weijing, a tourist from Chongqing Municipality.
Astronomy enthusiasts flock to Ningxia to catch spectacular Perseid meteor shower
Astronomy enthusiasts flock to Ningxia to catch spectacular Perseid meteor shower
A new China Global Television Network (CGTN) documentary explores how the historic Long March spirit is driving modern innovation, as young Chinese researchers and engineers are channeling this relentless drive to overcome critical bottlenecks in the EV and AI industries.
Titled "The Source of AI: Not a Single Rock Goes to Waste", the documentary highlights the pioneering journeys of Zhong Yu and He Pengyu.
Two years ago, Zhong made a pivotal career shift, leaving a long-established automaker to return to China and join Farasis Energy, a homegrown battery manufacturer based in Ganzhou City of east China's Jiangxi Province.
Working around the clock, Zhong and his team are developing solid-state batteries. This next-generation technology promises higher energy density and enhanced safety, having the potential to completely disrupt the current automotive landscape.
Through his research, Zhong is determined to establish China as a global leader in the battery sector.
While Zhong focuses on the power sources of the future, He Pengyu is tackling the foundational raw materials required for the EV and AI boom.
The rapid expansion of these sectors has triggered a massive surge in demand for copper and rare earth elements. However, extracting and separating these valuable minerals from raw ore has long been a formidable technical hurdle.
Without advanced equipment, China's mining industry once relied on grueling, inefficient manual sorting.
Determined to change this paradigm after returning from his studies in France, He founded HPY Sorting. The company has developed a revolutionary AI-driven optical ore sorting system capable of automatically separating waste rock from valuable ore.
Processing up to 300 tons of ore per hour, this intelligent sorting technology is now deployed in mines across the world, replacing tasks that once relied on human experience with precision-driven algorithms and automated machinery.
He Pengyu hopes that through his innovation, not a single rock goes to waste.
The documentary is part of CGTN's "Breaking Through" series, which traces China's journey from the historic Long March undertaken by the Red Army nine decades ago to its modern-day achievements, highlighting the resilience, ingenuity, and determination of its people.
Long March spirit drives critical breakthroughs in China's EV, AI industries: documentary
