Complementary programmes of “China’s Lunar and Mars Exploration” special exhibition

Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, is also the name of China's lunar probes. Ancient Chinese people saw the Moon as unreachable. However, China's missions to the Moon are turning myth into reality. This programme highlights the 20-year journey of China's lunar exploration, from “orbiting” to “landing” to “returning”, and outlines the next phase of the mission through 12 fascinating stories.

Complementary programmes of “China’s Lunar and Mars Exploration” special exhibition

On 4 March 2021, the China National Space Administration officially released two high-resolution black and white photos and one medium-resolution colour photo of Mars, showing details of the Martian landscape. In the eyes of scientists, these photos are invaluable, not only providing a basis for subsequent landings on Mars, but also uncovering a wealth of new information. This programme explores the journey of Tianwen-1 and discusses the origin, development, and objectives of China's first Mars exploration mission.

The moon rules our lives in more ways than you might think. Writer, comedian and astronomy enthusiast Dara Ó Brian explores the myths, mysteries and mind-blowing science behind the moon. He meets some of the world's top lunar experts and meets the scientists and engineers working on the next generation of lunar explorers. Dara begins his journey by visiting Newgrange, a famous ancient archaeological site, and revealing how the moon governs timekeeping.