Yihao "Ben" Zhou is currently studying at Phillips Academy Andover. Since beginning his journey in astronomy in 2017, he has accumulated extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience. During the pandemic, he used his own telescope to photograph numerous nebulae from the Messier catalog.
Ben's performance in the Starry sky check in challenge Mentorship Program was outstanding, and he demonstrated the passion and influence of astronomy enthusiasts through practical actions by creating the curriculums for teaching as well as coordinating the younger students in the first two phases of the project.
Reflecting on the Star Mentor Program in Qinghai, Yihao "Ben" Zhou described it as a profound and meaningful experience. He perceived the locals' keen interest in astronomy and discovered the reciprocal joy of knowledge sharing. Initially, communication was challenging because the locals had limited exposure to astronomy. However, as the program progressed, everyone gradually adapted to this new learning approach and actively engaged in interactions. Through this teaching experience, Yihao rediscovered the joy he felt when he first gazed upon the starry sky. He deeply reflected on the importance of sharing knowledge, stating, “Sharing knowledge is like opening Pandora's magic box, bringing infinite possibilities.” This power of sharing not only brings joy to others but also fosters personal growth.
Looking ahead, Yihao hopes to use Qinghai as the starting point of his dream, gradually expanding the program to other western provinces and cities, and eventually onto the international stage. He believes that by creating more successful examples, he can inspire more people to appreciate the value of astronomical knowledge.“I hope that through our efforts, we can form an astronomy teaching ecosystem where we learn from and influence each other, using the power of science to promote tourism and economic development,” he said.
He also hopes that more students will join, not only to test and enrich their astronomy knowledge but also to learn how to think differently in life and academics, acquiring more practical skills.Let's look forward to the future of Yihao and the Star Mentorship Program, using the power of astronomy to illuminate more people's dreams!
As a passionate astrophotographer, Yihao Zhou captured numerous magnificent photos and videos during the event. His work showcases the beauty of the night sky in different regions and reflects his enduring passion for the universe. These images are not just stunning landscapes but also his personal dialogues with the cosmos—through his lens, he hopes to help more people feel the vastness and mystery of the universe.
"Astrophotography allows me to imagine and explore—a glimpse into something so distant from our reality, yet that could very much mirror our own. It fascinates me how the same objects, when captured through wavelengths our naked eyes cannot perceive, can appear so differently through the camera lens. Even though it seems we are all imaging the same objects, our own unique ways of processing make them drastically different and special. Perhaps most importantly, astrophotography allows me to share my passion for astronomy with others—to inspire them on this journey, just as the images captured by a bystander at the 2017 solar eclipse inspired me."
记录下夜空的神秘与美丽