First space lecture opens new horizons for China(2)

This TV grab taken on June 20, 2013 shows female astronaut Wang Yaping (C), one of the three crew members of Shenzhou-10 spacecraft, giving a lecture to students on Earth aboard China's space module Tiangong-1. A special lecture began Thursday morning, given by Wang Yaping aboard China's space module Tiangong-1 to students on Earth. (Xinhua)

The students raised a number of questions for the astronauts, asking them how they can tell up from down in space, as well as inquiring about their water recycling system and their view of Earth from the orbiter.

"Through the front windows, we can see Earth and many stars. But we haven't seen any UFOs," Wang said.

The stars in space are brighter, but do not twinkle, she said.

"I tell you a wonderful phenomenon: we can see sunrises 16 times a day, as we circle the Earth every 90 minutes," she said.

At the end of the class, the three astronauts extended their regards to the students.

"I hope all of you will study hard, learn more and contribute to the Chinese dream," said Nie.

"Outer space is deep and has numerous mysteries. Exploration is limitless and we should work together in this regard," said Zhang Xiaoguang, one of the crew.

Born in east China's Shandong Province, the 33-year-old Wang is China's second female astronaut after Liu Yang, who entered the record books after participating in the Shenzhou-9 mission, which took place in June 2012.

The world's first teacher in space was Christa McAuliffe, a 37-year-old middle school teacher from the United States. She was aboard the space shuttle Challenger when it disintegrated 73 seconds after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986. McAuliffe and her other six crewmates were killed.