On November 7, 2024, Shanghai High School Gallery held a grand opening for the "Starry Starry Night: ANU Southern Hemisphere Astronomy Exhibition". This extraordinary exhibition is presented through a powerful collaboration between the Art Department of Shanghai High School and the Australian National University (ANU) China Centre. The content of the exhibition is provided by ANU and prefaced by Professor Brian Schmidt, the former Vice-Chancellor of ANU and 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics. The design and production of the exhibition have been curated by the ANU China Centre and Dr. Brad Tucker. The exhibition design and production were completed by Mr. Fang Xingweiai, an outstanding alumnus of the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences Class of 2023, in collaboration with the Art Department of Shanghai High School. The merging of the beauty of science with artistic expression creates an educational yet entertaining experience, enabling people in the Northern Hemisphere to explore the wonders of astronomy and broaden their horizons without leaving Shanghai.

At around 1p.m., guests arrived at the venue, including Mr. David Warner, Deputy Consul-General, Australian Consulate-General Shanghai, Mr. Kong Dali, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mr. Tang Haiming, Head of Science Communication of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ms. Nancy Yu, Director of the ANU China Centre, Ms. Wendy Wang from the ANU Shanghai Liaison Desk, as well as Mr. Feng Zhigang, Principal of Shanghai High School, Ms. Zhang Zehong, Party Secretary of Shanghai High School, Mr. Ma Feng, High School Principal of SHSID, Ms. Zhang Li, High School Vice Principal of SHSID, and other school leaders. In addition, many SHSID teachers and students also participated in the opening ceremony with a strong interest in astronomy.

The opening ceremony was hosted by an 11th-grade student from SHSID. Mr. David Warner, Deputy Consul-General, Australian Consulate-General Shanghai, Mr. Feng Zhigang, Principal of Shanghai High School, and Ms. Nancy Yu, Director of the ANU China Centre, respectively delivered wonderful speeches.

"It's the people-to-people connections that really form the foundation and relationship between the two countries, and this is particularly the case when it comes to education...The focus of the exhibition is less about what’s on the ground, and much more about what’s been described and beyond."

—— Mr. David Warner, Deputy Consul-General, Australian Consulate-General Shanghai

"Keep your feet on the ground and look up to the stars... Through science, the most important thing is to promote communication between people. I believe this activity can not only bring visual impact to students and teachers, but also promote mutual understanding of science and culture."

—— Mr. Feng Zhigang, Principal of Shanghai High School

"This exhibition is designed to ignite the imaginations of young minds and encourage them to explore the wonders of the universe. Let us celebrate the power of international collaboration. By sharing knowledge, resources, and ideas, we can accelerate scientific progress and inspire future generations of researchers."

—— Ms. Nancy Yu, Director of the ANU China Centre

"SHSID is committed to providing students with an open, explorable, and innovative environment. Students can not only freely choose fields of interest but also design and participate in scientific projects on their own, cultivating their ability to independently explore science and laying a solid foundation for their future studies."

—— Mr. Ma Feng, High School Principal of SHSID

David, the leader of the SHSID Astronomy Club, also took the stage to introduce our school's Astronomy Club and share the rich and colorful activities that have been held since its establishment, including observing meteor showers, tracking planetary trajectories, and holding astronomy knowledge competitions. The members of the Astronomy Club have made careful and thorough preparations for the showcasing of this exhibition. They hope that through their efforts, every visitor can gain a deeper understanding of the unique charm of astronomy in the southern hemisphere. David said that this exhibition provided a valuable platform for astronomy enthusiasts to learn and explore. He also hoped that through this exhibition, more students will pay attention to and explore this mysterious and fascinating field.

Subsequently, an exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, and all the guests cut the ribbon together for the exhibition, marking the official opening of the exhibition.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the guests visited the exhibition to appreciate the charm of the southern hemisphere's starry skies. The students from the Astronomy Club served as tour guides, providing detailed explanations for each piece of art on display.

While visiting the exhibition, the students also had an on-site interaction with Mr. Kong Dali and Mr. Tang Haiming from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. The students actively asked questions, and the two scientists answered them and encouraged everyone to continue to explore the mysteries of astronomy. Subsequently, the students also watched the video of the lecture on astronomy in the southern hemisphere by Prof. Brad Tucker from the ANU College of Science, which further deepened their understanding of astronomy.

The opening ceremony also arranged a special activity experience session, where guests participated in pottery creation at the Shanghai High School Art Center and took a campus tour to the newly built Hsi Building, further enriching the connotation of the exhibition.

Students' Reflection

G12 Lucia

Visiting the Southern Hemisphere Astronomy Exhibition is a rewarding experience. Whether by seeing pictures of the starry sky, learning about different telescopes, or communicating with experts, I deepened my appreciation for the wonders and importance of astronomy. Regardless of their subject of interest, I believe that everyone can learn something from this exhibition.

G11 Arianna

This exhibition went far beyond just showing stunning photos. I listened to a lecture presented by a professor at ANU, which was incredibly interesting and informative. The lecture answered many of my questions and deepened my appreciation for the art and science behind it. Another fascinating part of the exhibition was learning alongside my peers. The insightful questions asked by my peers in the Q&A session and the fascinating astronomy facts presented by the well-prepared volunteers were all super inspiring. The exhibition made me feel excited about what technology might reveal about our universe in the future. I truly enjoyed this experience.

G10 Amanda

Starry Starry Night is an exhibition of different extraordinary pictures of the milky way and the cosmos. The most outstanding memory is the beauty of the unknown. To be honest, I am not an astronomy person, but I truly respect the magnificent universe. I heard lectures from two professors which made my heart shake. My heart shook for how the universe is made up of all the stars, planets, galaxies, black holes, and much more. Human technology is not yet advanced enough to fully explore the universe, and we still have a long journey to explore its infiniteness. The exhibition resonated with me a lot, and it was a miraculous journey to explore the universe.

This astronomical exhibition will last until January 7, 2025. We sincerely invite teachers and students to visit and explore the mysteries of the southern hemisphere together.

Organizer

Australian National University China Centre

Host

Shanghai High School International Division

Venue

Shanghai High School Gallery

Exhibition Period

2024 / 11 / 07 - 2025 / 01 / 07

(Written by High School School Affairs Office   Pictures by SHSID Media Group, SHS Media Center   Edited by Ms. Kong Yuting, Ms. Shi Hanyue   Reviewed by ANU China Centre, Mr. Luo Lingjun, Ms. Gu Ying, Ms. Shen Chenli   Proofread by Mr. Cody Allen Turner)