Early interest

Dong was drawn to the mystery of the universe in childhood. He was amazed by the asteroid images in British physicist Stephen Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time, that his father bought for him.

Later, the family bought him a toy telescope that enabled him to see the moon up closer.

He went on to explore astronomical documentaries and films. During the winter vacation in his first college year in Shanghai in 2018, Dong's mother gave him the book, Xingkong Sheying Biji (Star Photography Notes) written by award-winning photographer Wu Zhong, which encouraged him further to pursue his passion.

"Astronomy photography enables me to record details that are usually missed by the naked eye," Dong says.

He adds that when he uses telephoto lens to take photos, he can see, for example, the details of the Milky Way, as well as its red, green and blue colors that "can be brought into sharp relief through photography".

Such photography prompted Dong to acquire knowledge of the field.