The Xihe Satellite's "journey to the sun" began at Nanjing University more than half a century ago. The new book A Persistent Journey towards the Sun--The Biography of Fang Cheng published by Nanjing University Press draws on rich historical resources and presents them in a delicate narrative style, tracing the life and career of Mr. Fang Cheng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Professor at the School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University.
The author Yang Jian provides a detailed and systematic account of Academician Fang Cheng's academic growth, drawing on face-to-face interviews with Fang Cheng himself, his students, friends and family, as well as thousands of pages of materials gathered from various sources.
Particularly noteworthy in the book is the portrayal of Academician Fang Cheng’s "never-give-up" spirit. Throughout the research, development and construction of the Solar Tower, he maintained the strength and resilience of a scientist in face of numerous hardships and setbacks. Such spirit serves as the most vivid illustration of NJU motto "Be Honest and Intelligent, Study Hard and Act Sincerely." Apart from academic achievements, this book also features Fang Cheng's respectable conduct as a mentor, who taught knowledge and experience generously to students. It is not merely a biography of a scientist, but also a microcosm of the progress of Solar Physics in China, and a vivid interpretation of the spirit of Nanjing University.
Translator: Shen Tianyi
Editor: Su Xinyu, Zhong Tianjing
