Hey explorers! 🧭 Guess what? A team of 34 brave members from China has just arrived at Qinling Station, their newest research base in Antarctica! ❄️🏔️
These adventurers are getting everything ready for an epic journey. They’re busy switching on all the cool equipment and bringing the station to life by restoring the power. They’ve restarted three excavators, two loaders, and two huge generators (that’s like super powerful batteries!). ⚡🔌
Their mission began on November 1st when they set sail aboard three ships: the icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2 (which means Snow Dragon 🐉❄️) and the cargo ship Yong Sheng. Imagine sailing through icy waters on a dragon ship! 🚢🐉
So, what’s their goal? They’re there to build important structures, study how our climate is changing, and make friends with scientists from around the world. Isn’t that awesome? 🌍🤝
Now, let’s talk about Qinling Station. It’s super cool (literally!). Officially opening in February 2024, it’s located on the Ross Sea coast and is China’s first Antarctic station facing the Pacific Ocean. It’s as big as about 20 basketball courts! 🏀🏀🏀
The station’s design is inspired by the Southern Cross constellation ✨, which you can see in the night sky if you’re in the southern part of the world. This constellation was really important to a famous Chinese admiral named Zheng He. About 600 years ago, during the Ming Dynasty, he used the stars to navigate the seas on his amazing voyages! ⛵🌌
Isn’t it cool how explorers from the past are connected to the adventurers of today? Maybe one day, you’ll be an explorer too! 🌠
Reference(s):
China's 41st Antarctic expedition preparatory team arrives at Qinling
cgtn.com
