RAPT AUDIENCE: Students in the "space lab" of Nankai Middle School in Tianjin watch a live broadcast of the space lecture (XINHUA)

Mystery no more

During and after the demonstration, Wang communicated with students, who applauded at the conclusion of each lesson while gazing in awe.

The students raised a number of questions concerning orientation of up and down in space, recycling water, space debris and the impact of a zero-gravity environment on the human body.

"Through the front windows, we can see the Earth and many other stars, but up till now, we haven't seen any UFOs," said Wang, asked about the view from the orbiter's window.

"We are outside the atmosphere and due to the lack of atmospheric interference, the stars we see are much brighter, but they do not twinkle," said Wang.

"Meanwhile, due to the absence of atmospheric light scattering, the sky we see is not blue, but deep black," said Wang. "And also I can tell you a wonderful phenomenon: We can see the sunrise 16 times a day as we circle the Earth every 90 minutes."

At the end of the class, the three astronauts extended best regards to the students. 

"I wish all you students will study hard and gain knowledge and add luster to the Chinese dream," says Nie.

"Outer space is deep and has numerous mysteries. Exploration is limitless. Let us work together in this regard," said Zhang. 

"The dream of space never loses its gravity and the dream of science has no boundaries," said Wang.

The 330 students present at Renmin University for the live interactive class included children from migrant workers' families and ethnic minorities as well as kids from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. 

"I like all these demonstrations, the gyro and water ball ones particularly. They are all impossible on Earth. Amazing!" said Qian Jianghao, a 10-year-old primary schooler who attended the televised class.

"When I learned about those laws of physics and weightlessness in classes before, I could only imagine what would happen. But, at today's class, I am able to see what really happens. It is thrilling," said high school freshman Luo Jiangyuan, who plans to study science in college.

"The water film and water ball demonstration really amazed me," said Xi Ya, a fourth grader attending Shijia Primary School in Beijing. "They are more magical than any magic trick on Earth."

"This demonstration gives us a vivid connection to what we are learning now in the school, such as the Newton's second law of motion," said Lu Xueyi, in her first year of Niulanshan No.1 Middle School in Beijing.

"The lesson is aimed at making space more popular, as well as inspiring enthusiasm for the universe and science," said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, who added that the lesson will also accumulate experience for larger activities like it.

"The spirit of science of the youth is an important drive for the progress of mankind," said Zhou. "Space activities can help them build up the spirit of pursuing science and facing challenges."

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