Seeing the light in a land of darkness

A young graduate from Wuhan recounts his sense of wonder after working at the bottom of the world, Wang Ru reports.

Li Hang had an experience that you could say lit up his life. The PhD graduate from Wuhan University saw the light in the South Pole, the aurora australis.

"I was astounded. It seemed to move like a swimming whale. But it comforted me emotionally, relieving my solitude and dullness. I thought it was a gift from heaven."