On October 22, the award ceremony and astronomy creative forum for the “2024 Third Juxing Cup Astronomy Creative Design Competition” took place at the Ancient Observatory in Beijing. Since its launch in March this year, the competition has garnered over 500 submissions, showcasing the development and achievements of astronomy throughout history, both domestically and internationally.
Themed “Gazing at the Starry Sky Across Time and Space: Celebrating Astronomical Achievements,” the event attracted widespread attention from the community, drawing participation from professional designers, university students in design fields, and astronomy enthusiasts from primary and secondary schools. The entries spanned four categories: creative designs based on traditional Chinese astronomical culture, artistic derivations related to the Ancient Observatory in Beijing, creative designs connected to modern astronomy, and innovative designs reflecting contemporary astronomical accomplishments.
Through rigorous evaluations by the organizing committee and expert judges, the competition awarded a total of one first prize, three second prizes, six third prizes, and 73 commendations in the adult category. In the youth group, ten first prizes, twenty second prizes, thirty third prizes, and one hundred commendations were presented. Additionally, awards for outstanding mentors and institutions were established to recognize the exemplary guidance provided during the competition.
Among the winners, university student Mi Junyi from the Central Academy of Fine Arts stood out with her work titled “Gathering Stars and the Four Symbols,” which won the top honor in the adult category. Other notable entries include “Tales of Cosmic Wonder,” “Poetry of Wind and Matter – Illustrative Insights on the 24 Solar Terms,” and “Creative Series for Astronomical Timekeeping,” which received second place. Works such as “Illustrative Derivations of the Four Divine Beasts,” “Sundial Tea Canister,” and “Dreams of Astronomy: A Convergence of the Ancient and Modern” won third place in the adult category.
The award ceremony featured a special section displaying the winning entries, where Mi Junyi and two other adult category winners explained the inspiration behind their designs to the audience, illuminating the unique charm of astronomy-inspired creative works.
The event was organized by the Beijing Planetarium, which has stated it will continue to enhance competition services and expedite the commercialization of the winning works. The goal is to explore how to better integrate astronomical elements into modern life through innovative cultural products, injecting new vitality into the field of astronomy creativity.
