Galaxy Explorer

Category: General

  • C/2025 N1 and C/2025 K1

    What are they, you would be wondering.

    If I tell you that C/2025 N1 is the designation of the third interstellar comet ever detected by humans, you would know it has the other widely known name as 3I/ATLAS. Its orbit is hyperbolic — meaning it’s moving too fast to be gravitationally bound to the Sun — and the trajectory traces back beyond the solar system. It passed inside the orbit of Mars on its path through the inner solar system, and its closest approach to Earth will be around December 19, 2025 — about 170 million miles away.

    Because it didn’t form around our Sun, its composition, structure, and behavior offer a window into how comets, and perhaps planetary systems, elsewhere in the galaxy evolve.

    The less-known C/2025 K1 is a more modest comet — a native of our own solar system’s distant Oort Cloud. Astronomers around the world watched in real time as it dramatically broke up into 3 or 4 pieces after its close approach to the Sun, between November 11 and 13, 2025, after surviving perihelion, its closet encounter with the sun.

    It’s hard not to feel a sense of cosmic humility when you think about it. In a single year — 2025 — we’ve witnessed two remarkable cosmic events: one object, voyaging across the galaxy, unbound by the Sun’s gravity; another, a quiet resident of our solar system finally succumbing to solar forces after a lonely journey from the Oort Cloud.

    It makes me wonder — out there, beyond our telescopes, how many more ices and rocks from distant stars are drifting, awaiting their turn to pay a visit to our neighborhood? ☄

  • Book Review: What If?

    Have you read What If?  by Randall Munroe, the creator of the famous xkcd comics?

    This book is unlike any traditional science text. Munroe takes the strangest, funniest, and sometimes downright ridiculous questions—like “What would happen if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light?”—and answers them with real science, math, and a healthy dose of humor. What makes it special is that you don’t need to be a professional physicist or mathematician to enjoy it. The explanations are written in an approachable way, with clever stick-figure illustrations that keep things light while still making you think.

    Whether you’re a nerd who is deeply serious about STEM, or someone who leans more toward the arts and humanities, What If?  is the kind of book that works for everyone. It’s perfect to pick up during a study break, when you’re bored, or when you just want to see how science can be used to explore the absurd. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and strangely inspiring—it reminds us that curiosity, no matter how odd the question, can lead to fascinating insights about the universe.

    I’ve had this book since 6th grade, and it’s still one of my favorites on the bookshelf. No matter how many times I read it, I always stumble upon something new—whether it’s a quirky detail in the illustrations, a fresh perspective in the explanations that I didn’t catch before, or even a “what if” question that I come up with myself, like what would it be like to play golf on Mars?

  • Dream of Strings: The Elegant Universe

    After finishing the last page of The Elegant Universe, I looked up at the night sky, and the stars seemed to shine brighter than usual. As a high school student deeply interested in physics and astronomy, Brian Greene’s book not only guided me through the world of modern physics but also inspired me to reflect on humanity’s place in the cosmos.

    What attracted me most about this book is the way it explains relativity, quantum mechanics, and string theory, turning difficult science into something both exciting and inspiring. String theory—an idea that once confused me—becomes an elegant ballet of mathematics through Greene’s writing. He uses vivid comparisons to illuminate nearly incomprehensible concepts: the universe as a grand symphony, with fundamental particles as musical notes vibrating on strings, and the extra dimensions as the hidden stage where the performance unfolds. These analogies allowed me to glimpse the profound depth of modern physics.

    This book did more than just expend my knowledge. It changed my perspective on overcoming toward challenges. Physicists have been striving to find the grand unified theory of physics for many decades, and faced many failures but do not give up. This spirt of seeking truth of the universe inspire me, a student that may give up when facing difficult situation , to reignite the courage of seeking new knowledge.

    Closing the book, I realized that I may never become a theoretical physicist, but it gave me something even more valuable: an unquenchable curiosity. Gazing at the night sky, the universe still feels full of mysteries, and as Greene describes, it is these unanswered questions that make scientific exploration so captivating. Perhaps the key to understanding the universe lies hidden right before our eyes…🌌🪐💫

  • Honorable Mention at VJAS

    The results of the 2025 Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Symposium came out today. I placed 4th in my category and received an Honorable Mention. Honestly, I felt a bit let down when I first saw the results, as I was hoping for something more.


    But after letting the news sink in, I realized that this experience was about so much more than rankings. I had the chance to present my research, to stand alongside other passionate students, and to share my love for astronomy with people who actually understood and appreciated it. That’s something I’ll never forget.


    Science isn’t just about is not about winning every competition—it’s about curiosity, persistence, and the drive to keep asking questions even when the answers don’t come easily. And in that sense, I don’t feel like I lost anything. This Honorable Mention is still a recognition of hard work, and more importantly, a stepping stone toward what’s next. I’m walking away from VJAS motivated and inspired. The journey continues. 🚀✨

  • The 2025 VJAS Symposium

    Today, I attended the 2025 Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Symposium, held at Ferrum College in Virginia. Getting there was already a journey—we drove more than four hours yesterday afternoon.

    At first, I was hesitant to submit my research to VJAS since I had already presented the main results at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) back in April. However, my science teacher encouraged me to share the updated findings from my project, and I’m glad I followed that advice.

    After leaving school early yesterday, I stayed overnight in one of the college dorms—quiet and empty since most students had gone home for the summer. This morning, I woke up early, had breakfast in the dining hall, and walked around the campus, soaking in the calm before heading to the classroom for the Physics & Astronomy session at 8:45 a.m.

    As expected, I was the only student presenting research in Astronomy. I felt more confident in delivering my presentation this time, but I couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy when no one asked detailed questions about my work. Still, I was proud to share my findings and represent my field among peers focused on a variety of scientific topics.

    After the session, we had lunch, which included an engaging presentation about student research on water quality monitoring. Then, we headed home, knowing that the competition results won’t be announced for another two weeks.

    Overall, the experience was more than just presenting research—it was a chance to step out of my comfort zone, reflect on my growth as a student-researcher, and appreciate the diverse interests and talents of other young scientists. It also gave me the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of rural Virginia.

  • The 63th National JSHS Competition

    Being selected as one of only five students to represent the Virginia Region at the 63d National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) was both an honor and an incredible opportunity. With 245 finalists gathered from across the country, I knew I was stepping into something much bigger than myself.

    The event took place at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia—just a short drive from my home. At first, I thought about commuting each day, but I quickly realized that staying at the hotel would let me truly be part of the experience. Living among the other students, sharing meals, and engaging in late-night conversations about science, research, and even everyday life made the symposium unforgettable.

    Not everything went as planned. I had an asthma attack earlier in the day, and it affected my presentation more than I wanted. At the time, I felt disappointed. But as the days went on, I realized that JSHS wasn’t only about the performance on stage. It was about the chance to learn from brilliant peers, to hear the stories behind their projects, and to receive thoughtful feedback from judges who genuinely cared about encouraging young scientists.

    Looking back, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Even though my presentation didn’t go perfectly, I walked away with something more valuable—lessons in resilience, inspiration from others, and the confidence that I belong in a community of curious and passionate minds.

  • The 2025 National Astronomy Competition

    Today was the test day for the 2025 National Astronomy Competition (NAC), the second round of the USA Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. This marks the fourth time I’ve made it to the second round since 8th grade, and each year still feels like a milestone.

    In the past few years—ever since the COVID-19 pandemic—the first and second rounds were administered online and proctored via video. But the rules changed this year: the NAC exam in 2025 required an in-person proctor, certified to oversee the test. That meant I had to drive to the K.W. Barrett Branch Library in Alexandria, VA, where a librarian served as the official proctor. Sitting in a quiet corner of the library, the experience felt more formal and perhaps more serious than in previous years.

    As for the test itself, it was definitely a little tougher than I expected. Some of the problems really pushed me to think deeply and apply concepts in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Still, I gave it my best effort. Hopefully, I’ll perform better this year and take another step forward in this journey.

  • My First Research Paper

    After a long wait of more than 3 months, my first research paper, From Theory to Observational Results: Baryon Acoustic Oscillations Detected at High Redshift Ranges, finally got published by Journal of Student Research.

    This research paper grew out of my science research project at the Academy of Loudoun, which I began in September 2024. Astronomy and space have fascinated me since childhood, so I was eager to dive right into the work. That said, the early stages weren’t smooth—I struggled to decide which specific direction my project should take.

    A turning point came when I spoke with a graduate student at USC, who shared a few possible ideas. Around the same time, I read several research papers by professors at Harvard and Ohio State, which helped me narrow my focus to baryon acoustic oscillations. After further investigation of all possible resources, I decided to use the DESI Early Data Release (EDR) dataset for my study.

    To work with the dataset, I used ADQL to pull data from the NOIRLab DataLab database, then started coding in Python to process and analyze the results. However, I quickly ran into performance issues—Python was too slow for the scale of computation I needed. That challenge became an opportunity: I taught myself Java to design more efficient algorithms and data structures, which ultimately sped up the processing by an order of magnitude.

    Over the next several months, I worked intensively on data extraction, algorithm design, and fine-tuning the data model. Step by step, the project came together, and by November 2024, I was able to finalize my research. To my excitement, my paper was accepted for publication in the Journal of Student Research.

    Looking back, this journey was more than just completing a project—it was about persistence, problem-solving, and following a lifelong passion.

  • The 2025 Virginia JSHS Competition

    On February 22, 2025, I attended the annual Virginia Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at Longwood University.

    As I scanned the presentation schedule, I noticed that most projects fell into popular categories such as biology, chemistry, environmental science, and computer science. Mine was the only presentation related to astrophysics and astronomy. That realization made me a bit nervous since I had no direct peers for comparison.

    Fortunately, one of the three judges for my session was Dr. Gary L. Page, a member of the International Astronomical Union who was familiar with my research area. He asked several precise and challenging questions, and I was grateful that I could respond to his inquiries confidently.

    After the lunch break, I took a walk around Longwood’s campus. The university is beautiful, with many recently renovated buildings that gave it both charm and modern appeal.

    At 4:00 PM, all participants gathered at the Soza Ballroom in the Upchurch University Center for the awards ceremony. Once again, I felt nervous, but my biology teacher—who serves as the Academy of Loudoun’s sponsor for this event—reassured me that everything would be fine.

    Around 4:25 PM, after winners were announced in the first five categories, my name was called as the winner in the Physics category.

    All eight category winners were then invited to the stage, where the overall rankings were revealed. My name was announced second, as one of two runner-ups, followed by the third-place, the second-place and the first place announcement. As the 4th place winner, I was thrilled to learn that I would represent Virginia at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in April!

  • F=MA Rocket Launch Failure

    F = MA is Newton’s Second Law of Motion, but for me, it turned into a different kind of disaster—the rocket never even left the ground.

    For more than a year, I had been preparing for the F=MA Physics competition. Since Loudoun County Public Schools doesn’t offer AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, I decided to self-study the subject alongside Mechanics. By May 2024, I had taken both AP Physics C: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism exams—and scored 5 on each. I felt ready.

    But then disaster struck, without warning. I had assumed the Academy of Loudoun would host the F=MA exam, and I even sent inquiries about it. No one replied until the Friday before registration closed, when I was told to contact a teacher at a different high school. By then, it was already too late.

    I scrambled to check other test centers, only to find that none could accommodate me. The rules had changed—F=MA competition no longer allows for-profit test centers to host the exam. With that, all my preparation and effort came to nothing.

    Looking back, I know the fault was mine. I should have researched the rule changes and test locations much earlier instead of relying on assumptions. Lesson learned: in physics and in life, momentum only builds when you prepare in advance.

    Still, this isn’t the end of my journey. Missing F=MA is disappointing, but I’ll keep pushing forward. There are more opportunities ahead to test what I’ve learned. Maybe I’ll do better next time—not just in physics, but in planning too. If anything, this experience is a reminder that setbacks are experiments in disguise. Each one provides data to refine our next launch.