Chinese Astronauts challenge space norms, livestream fire experiment | Watch
Chinese astronauts defied conventions by livestreaming an open flame experiment aboard China's Tiangong space station.
A Fiery Endeavor in Space
On September 21, during a live lecture broadcast from the space station, astronauts Gui Haichao and Zhu Yangzhu embarked on a remarkable experiment. They lit a candle using a match, a feat previously considered impossible and dangerous in the realm of space exploration.
Revelation of Microgravity Flames
The livestream captivated audiences as the flames exhibited an unexpected behavior. In microgravity, the flames appeared nearly spherical, a stark departure from the teardrop-shaped flames we encounter on Earth. This revelation stirred curiosity, especially as the International Space Station (ISS) enforces stringent regulations regarding flammable materials and open flames.
Dissipating Flames in Microgravity
In the captivating video provided by China Central Television (CCTV), Gui Haichao explained, «You can see that the flame of a candle in the space station burns in a spherical shape, while in comparison, the flame of a candle burns in a cone shape when the candle is upright on Earth.»
The distinct shape transformation can be attributed to the weaker convection currents in the low Earth orbit environment. On Earth, flames adopt a teardrop shape due to buoyancy-driven convection, where hot air rises and cold air descends near the flame. In microgravity, these currents are less pronounced, causing the flame to disperse spherically.
Educational Endeavors in Space
The Chinese astronauts embarked on a series of live lectures, providing young viewers with a captivating glimpse into their lives in orbit. These presentations introduced audiences to the astronauts' working and
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