🌌 Starry Nights in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei 🌟
Yang Jing carefully sets up her camera, aligns her telescope, and eagerly waits for the night sky to unveil its cosmic wonders. For the past 10 years, this has been her ritual, but the thrill of gazing upon the stars never fades.
\"Every time I look up, it's like seeing the universe anew,\" she says with a smile.
A decade ago, Yang's passion for astronomy ignited when she connected with fellow enthusiasts and experts. Living in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, also known as \"Jing-Jin-Ji,\" she embarked on a stellar journey that intertwined her love for photography and the cosmos.
Back then, capturing clear images of the night sky was a challenge. \"The smog was so dense that even the brightest stars were hidden,\" Yang recalls. Photos often showed a stark contrast between the polluted haze below and the faint stars above. 🚗 Many times, she and her friends would drive far from the city lights, seeking clearer skies in places like the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
\"We used to wait for windy days to blow the smog away,\" she chuckles. \"After the wind, we'd rush out at night, hoping for a glimpse of the stars.\"
In 2013, the average concentration of PM2.5—a measure of fine particulate matter—in the region was a staggering 106 micrograms per cubic meter, marking it as one of the most polluted areas in China.
But change was on the horizon! Since 2014, with the coordinated development strategy of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region focusing on environmental protection, the skies began to clear. By 2022, the PM2.5 levels dropped to 37 micrograms per cubic meter. The improvement was not just in the data—it was visible in the night sky. ✨
\"I bought my first telescope in 2016, and that's when I noticed the real change,\" Yang shares. \"Suddenly, the stars were brighter, and the nights were clearer. We've been able to stargaze more often and in more places.\"
Last year alone, Yang observed and photographed celestial events over 100 times! 🌠 \"The improved air quality has made the atmosphere so much clearer. We're catching amazing celestial phenomena regularly now.\"
The environmental transformation isn't limited to the skies. \"The mountains are greener, and the waters are clearer,\" Yang notes, appreciating the holistic improvement in the region.
Now delving deeper into astrophotography, she's venturing beyond what's visible to the naked eye. \"There are breathtaking nebulae and galaxies out there,\" she beams. \"I want to capture them and share this cosmic beauty with everyone.\"
Her mission? Inspiring others to look up. \"I hope more people will pause to enjoy the romantic stars,\" Yang says. \"After all, the universe is ours to explore.\" 🚀
Reference(s):
Improved air quality gives rise to stargazing in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region
cgtn.com
