Lunar soil brought back by China's moon mission is on display at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China, June 27, 2021. The sample was picked up from the moon in December 2020 by the Chang'e-5 lunar probe, the first lunar collection back to Earth in more than 40 years. The probe returned with 1,731 grams of lunar soil. The exhibition, open to the public from June 27 to July 9, also features models of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe and hundreds of exhibits to tell the inspiring stories of Chinese scientists over the last 100 years. (Xinhua/Wei Hua)
HONG KONG, June 26 (Xinhua) -- With gasps and cheers, an exhibition in Hong Kong lifted the veil on the mysterious moon soil on Saturday.
Liu Wai-chung, 30, took three photos of the coin-sized soil inside a rotating crystal container, which was black and gray under the spotlights. Even for the geomatics researcher with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), to see in person the piece of soil taken back from somewhere 380,000 km away in outer space is a truly fantastic experience.
It is the first time that lunar soil is displayed in Hong Kong, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Saturday when addressing an inauguration ceremony of the show.
The exhibit is part of altogether 1,731 grams of samples picked up from the moon by China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe in December 2020, the first lunar collection back to Earth in more than 40 years.
Behind the success were also the efforts of Hong Kong scientists. A research team led by Yung Kai-leung, a PolyU professor, developed the samplers for the Chang'e-5. Yung also appeared at the exhibition.
"Because of COVID-19, we couldn't go to Beijing. This is also the first time for me to see the lunar soil. It is so exciting!" Yung said with a tremor of excitement in his voice.
Lunar soil is the fine fraction of the regolith found on the surface of the moon, very dry and with no organic component, research finds.
As a researcher, Liu is curious and has many questions. "What's in it exactly? What kind of features it has? I look forward to an opportunity to participate in related research in the future," he said.
In the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, officials and scientists witnessed the inauguration ceremony. The show also features models of the lunar probe and hundreds of exhibits to tell the inspiring stories of Chinese scientists over the last 100 years.
The show, which will be open to the public for 13 days from Sunday, has already stirred curiosity and excitement among teenagers in Hong Kong.
"I will go to see the lunar soil at the earliest possible date."
"If I have any lunar soil, I will try it to see if it tastes good or not."
"I think the lunar soil must be hard and uneven."
These remarks were made by primary school students at the Pui Kiu College on Friday in sharing what they thought about the lunar soil with Xinhua reporters.
Eva Charisa Hsu, the principal of Fukien Secondary School Affiliated School, was impressed by the lunar soil on Saturday.
Hsu still remembered the scene that she and her students watched the launch of the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft on TV. "We counted down together and cheered for our country. We were very happy. I feel exactly the same right now!"
For this time, Hsu hopes she can bring more students to see the lunar soil.
"I hope they can feel the national space achievements and in the future make their own contributions," she said. Enditem
