Hi Everyone. Welcome back to Astronomer in Shanghai! I hope all of you are doing well and having a safe, happy, and healthy summer. I know that it’s been a scorcher of a summer around the world (Shanghai included), so I hope that you are all staying cool and hydrating when you are outside.

As many of you were avidly following the lockdown situation in Shanghai, I’ll begin by updating you that thankfully Shanghai has remained open for another month. However, things are not totally back to normal. PCR tests are still required within 72 hours (of the test result being published) to enter public spaces and use public transportation and at least 1 covid test is required every week (or you get a yellow health code). In total, there have been very few cases in Shanghai this month, which is a relief. However, every time there is a case, the district where that case is requires us to get tested 2 times within 3 days. Annoyingly, because the local district governments are very concerned about preventing outbreaks, this practice often continues far longer (as it currently is in Xuhui, where I live). So, even though this was a relatively calm month covid wise, I still ended up taking 16 PCR tests and 16 antigen tests in a little over a month since my last post. Thankfully, every one has been negative. While I understand the need to be cautious, this does feel like overkill and can be frustrating. Fortunately, there is a hospital around the corner from my apartment so when they’re not testing in my neighborhood, I don’t have to go far. While I know the situation in the US and around the world is quite different (in terms of prevention and vaccine trust), I hope that all of you are continuing to stay healthy and vigilant.

Even though the covid-19 situation in Shanghai remains under control, there have been a few larger outbreaks around China. In particular, the vacation destination, Sanya, in Hainan was locked down as a result of a few hundred cases, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. So, there is still some stress and anxiety for me about traveling around China. Moreover, there’s also concern about what will happen at the beginning of the school year. There are reports of schools (K-12) requiring daily PCR tests and entire classrooms/schools being locked down if people test positive. At this point, SJTU has not announced their policy for the fall, so I don’t know if this will impact me. In addition to the human toll of the constant PCR tests, I also wanted to comment on the business toll. As a result of the 2 month lockdown and relatively slow recovery, many of the stores and restaurants in my neighborhood have closed. These are mostly smaller stores (not chains) that sell things like clothing or designer goods, but it’s clear that this lockdown had a devastating economic impact for people in Shanghai as well as around the world.

The other topic that I’m sure many of you have seen/discussed is the growing tension between China and the US, which was further escalated by Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. I don’t want to go into the nuances of Chinese politics (mostly because I really don’t understand Chinese politics), but having talked to my friends within the US Consulate, it’s clear that this is causing a lot of stress/anxiety. This is not something that is concerning just for Americans, it’s also riled up many of my colleagues, particularly those who have never spent time in the US. As such, I’ve seen colleagues share nationalist articles condemning Pelosi and the US for violating the One China policy. However, I’ve also seen other friends post/share articles expressing fear and anxiety over these growing tensions (while this includes some Chinese nationals, more of these were expats), which I relate to. I hope that these tensions will ease over time, but that may not be for a long while.

Astronomy in Shanghai

As I hinted at earlier, I have spent this month working exclusively from home. While the campus is open, you still need to request permission to enter and my supervisor, Ying, has not been going in during the summer either, so other than chatting with my friends, I haven’t missed much. Overall, this was another productive month. Most of my efforts this month were focused on my DES Intracluster Light paper, Project Outskirts, and on my analysis of the Luminosity Function, Project Population.

For my ICL paper, I am quickly moving through the DES review process. I’m currently in the Collaboration Wide Review (I have gotten comments/suggestions from a few colleagues) and have my telecon on the paper late on Monday evening (morning EST). Other than working on clarifying the arguments and removing some of the wordy text, most comments have been either typos or stylistic edits and more importantly, people seem to be interested in the science! Hopefully that telecon will go well and I’ll be able to wrap up the DES review process and have the paper submitted for publication near the end of the month!

For Project Population, I’ve made a significant amount of headway in the past month. This paper will focus on how halo mass, galaxy color, and cluster finding methodology impact the Luminosity Function. I’ve also figured out how to do Abundance Matching, a popular tool to link massive clusters based on different mass proxies for the first time. 🙂 Overall, we’re seeing some very interesting trends related to the impact of whether a red sequence based cluster finder is used (which is what Emmet and I both have used in the past) or instead a friends of friends analysis (identifying all nearby galaxies regardless of color is used). Our results seem to suggest that there are faint blue galaxies that the red sequence methodology misses, but that the friends-of-friends method also lacks/splits some of the structure of red clusters. Overall, I’m hopeful to be wrapping up this analysis and then start writing it up as soon as possible.

Additionally, I finally figured out some of the bugs for Project Proxy, my side project analysis of different halo mass proxies, so I’ve been able to start measuring the different weak lensing parameters again. 🙂

Also, to update all of you, I renewed my contract at SJTU (through August 2023), for what I’m planning is to be my last year in Shanghai. I’ll be applying for new positions in the fall and will keep you all updated once I figure out what my plan is for the next academic year.

Life in Shanghai

As I mentioned at the start of this post, it has been an incredibly hot summer around the world and Shanghai has been no exception. This has been the hottest summer on record in Shanghai for decades with temperatures every day reaching to almost 110 degrees with 80-90% humidity. While Shanghai is always hot and humid in the summer, based on my previous 2 summers here, it’s not usually quite this hot. Moreover, it never cools off at night. If the high is 110, the low is in the 90s, which makes it terribly uncomfortable for me to be outside or go for a run. On a positive note, the F45 Xuhui branch was able to reopen, so I’ve been going to the gym most days! The oppressive heat this past month has really limited what I’ve chosen to do because it’s just so uncomfortable outdoors.

Despite the heat, I still managed to do some fun activities (though not all have photos), including catching up with my friends Heather and Shimi and making jam one last time in Shanghai with my friend Hannah Maia (who’s moving back to the US at the beginning of September). Hannah Maia and I made peach mango jam! The peaches were excellent when I made peach jam with my Mom (on FaceTime) and since peach mango is one of the more exotic flavors that my Mom makes, I wanted to try making it, especially since it’s so much easier getting mangoes here!

Hannah Maia and I have made so many different flavors together (lychee, strawberry, fig, persimmon, cherry, and peach mango)! It’s been a great experience trying all these different kinds of jam and I’m so glad that we got to do it one more time! Plus, the jam turned out great and ended up with a beautiful color!

As more and more things were opening back up, I decided to go to to the Foreign Language Bookstore to pick up some new books! I got the next two books in the Witcher Series, Artemis by Andy Weir (who wrote the Martian), and books 2-8 in the Hilo graphic novel series by Judd Winnick! While there were some other books that I couldn’t find (the next two books in the Three Body Problem trilogy and The Last Kings of Shanghai), it’s always neat to look through the Bookstore and see what’s there!

On my few excursions into the heat, I also saw some cool things I wanted to share with you!

Additionally, on top of the many adorable photos of Scottie and Charlie, I also saw some cute cats around my neighborhood, including a family of cats that live by F45!

Scottie and Charlie

This was another fantastic month for Scottie and Charlie topped off with their first birthday on August 15th! While not everything was fun for them (they had to get rabies shots and also get their chins shaved to treat their cat acne, due to their plastic food dishes–this is now under control), they’ve continued to bring great joy to my life from keeping me company while working to keeping me from working! Plus, they’ve both continued to spend lots of time snuggling with me (when not snuggling with one another)!

One new highlight was that this month I got a cat tree structure from my friends David and Nati (who moved back to the US). Charlie greatly enjoys it and spends lots of time on the high perch. However, Scottie is a little afraid of it (I think because it smells like other cats).

Even though Scottie doesn’t like the cat tree, he has his own perch. Scottie has continued to jump up to the bar over my shower! Thankfully, he has now figured out how to get down. He usually does it in the morning, but I have no idea why it’s so interesting for him, since there’s nothing he can get to up there?

Even doing normal things they’re both incredible adorable and cute!

And they’re even cuter when they’re snuggling or playing with one another!

But my favorite part is when they cuddle with me! Scottie in particular remains fascinated with my beard and often jumps on top of me and starts licking/grooming it. Also, Scottie’s continued to hop on my back whenever he can!

Additionally, I wanted to share this amazing video of Scottie playing with his new favorite toy, a laser pointer, that my Mom got for him on Baopals! Since he’s lost weight (down from 6.5kg to 5.8kg) it’s amazing to see how high he can jump!

While Charlie isn’t quite as interested in it, he still loves his crinkle balls and plays fetch with them (and me) all the time. Often, I wake up to 2-3 crinkle balls by me on my bed that Charlie found to play fetch during the night!

Food in Shanghai

Since It was so hot this month, I didn’t venture out to restaurants very much, but I did do a lot of cooking. First off, I made bread again!

I decided to bake bread because I wanted to make a mushroom sandwich (see below) and thought it’d be fun to make my own bread for it!

Here are some of my other culinary highlights for the month! You can see my open face mushroom sandwich, palak tofu, chocolate brownies, dal makhni, and sweet and sour tofu!

Also, since I’ve been missing Chinese food, I ordered food for 3 meals from another of my favorite vegan restaurants!

I enjoyed spicy cauliflower and tofu dry pot, tofu, fried lotus root, gluten shreds (veggie pork), stir friend sword beans, and stir friend eggplant. My favorites were the sword beans and the gluten shreds!

Also, during Dragon Boat Festival, people traditionally eat zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings. I had ordered some through the Vegans of Shanghai group, but they arrived about a month late, so I’ve been slowly enjoying them! I got sugar flavored, orange flavored, and red bean flavored!

Jewish Life in Shanghai

For the first time in almost 6 months, we had a full month of events within the Kehilat Shanghai community! While many of our members have moved, there’s still a really nice group of us here in Shanghai! Towards the end of July, we had a lovely family Shabbat that served as a farewell for our former Kehilat Shanghai President, Bruce, and his family!

This past Friday, we also had our first Community Shabbat in over 6 months! It was so nice to see everyone again and get to do a Kabbalat Shabbat service in person, as opposed to on Zoom! Special thanks to Alex and John for hosting and to our community member Michael for making two delicious challahs!

Additionally, we had another in person trivia night! I wrote three rounds (shared at the end) and Emmet wrote the other two (also shared at the end). While I miss my friend and co-host David, it was great fun to gather in person and test everyone’s knowledge! Additionally, this past Saturday, one Kehilat community member’s daughter had her Bat Mitzvah! Since they were looking for extra Torah readers, I got the opportunity to chant torah, which was lovely! I haven’t gotten any photographs from the event yet, but when I do, I’ll share some! 🙂

Overall, it’s been so nice to be able to gather together as a community again! I look forward to more of these smaller events as well as our upcoming High Holiday celebrations (which I’ll be leading here for the third time).

What I’m Reading and Watching

Since I didn’t get to the bookstore until recently, I didn’t finish any books this month (I’m currently reading the third Witcher book). However, with the heat and working from home, I did finish quite a few streaming shows. I know that I’ve mentioned For All Mankind before, but I just finished the third season (on Apple TV) and absolutely loved it! This is an alternative history show centered on the premise that the Russians landed on the Moon first and that the Space Race continued long after 1969. This third season focused on getting humans to Mars (in the 1990s)! As an Astronomer, I loved seeing the different technologies and scenarios on Mars that were posited. If you’re a history or Space fan, I highly recommend it! Additionally, I also greatly enjoyed the second season of Alex Rider on (Freevee via Amazon Prime). This is based on the book series I read as a kid (and that they even had at the Foreign Language Bookstore!) of the same name about a teenage spy working for M15. Even though I read the books a long time ago, it’s great to see it being adapted now! Lastly, I finished Slow Horses (Apple TV), a British spy show starring Gary Oldman. While this was a bit of a slow burn, I ended up really enjoying the different conflicts and politics between the spy agencies in England. 🙂 Additionally, I hope that all of you tennis fans enjoy the upcoming US Open in a few weeks! I’ll be cheering for Rafa!

Thank you for so much for reading and for your interest in my life and experiences in Shanghai. I hope that this update highlights that things are close to returning to a “new normal” (yet again). If you have any questions about anything I’ve written don’t hesitate to reach out either in the comments or via e-mail. I hope that you all enjoyed the photos of my life in Shanghai, especially those of Scottie and Charlie! I hope that all of you have a safe, happy, healthy, and productive month and end of the summer.

In peace,

Jesse

Trivia

Rivals:

1). The NBA’s first great rivalry was a battle between these two Centers, both all time greats, one who played for the Boston Celtics and another who played for the Philadephia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers

2). This president’s cabinet was nicknamed The Team of Rivals by Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin

3). One of the most tragic sports rivalries was between these two figure skaters, ultimately resulting in one skater being attacked and the other ended up being banned for life .

4). One political rivalry in the UK in the late 1930’s centered around these two men who would succeed one another as Prime Minister.

5). This college football game, played annually towards the end of November, between these two midwestern institutions is the biggest rivalry in College Sports.

6). Between 1992 and 1995 every Grand Slam Tennis event was a final between these two women?

7). These two founding fathers had a bitter rivalry that ended in a duel when one killed the other.

8). These were the two main gaming companies to emerge from the video game crash of 1983 and lead what is known as the third generation of video game consoles.

9). Name these two rival gangs in West Side Story.

10). As a result of a 2018 film (which features the name of one of these women), these two female royals were viewed as bitter rivals. However, their rivalry was quite different because these two women, cousins, never met, only corresponding through letters. Though the conflict still ended bitterly with one signing the others death warrant.

Answers: 1). Bill Russel and Wilt Chamberlain 2). President Abraham Lincoln 3). Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding 4). Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill 5). Michigan vs. Ohio State 6). Steffi Graf and Monica Seles 7). Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton 8(. Nintendo and Sega 9). Jets and Shark 10). Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots

Fictional Spies

1). Perhaps the worlds most famous fictional spy, James Bond, played by Sean Connery first appeared in what movie?

2). This character, created by Robert Ludlam, has appeared in four movie, starring Matt Damon.

3). Sydney Bristow was the name of the character played by Jennifer Garner in this long running ABC TV show, created by JJ Abrams.

4). This prolific fiction author, who wrote over 20 spy novels, worked for M15 and M16 in the 1950s and 196s. Notable works include: The Spy who Came in from the Cold, The Little Drummer Girl, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

5). This super spy was created by Stan Lee, Don Rico, and Don Heck in Tales of Suspense as a Russian spy and antagonist to Iron Man, who would later defect to the US, join S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers.

6). Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin were the two leading characters, both spies, in this TV show, later adapted as a movie.

7). Though not Tom Cruise’s most successful movie, that would be Top Gun 2, the Mission Impossible series features Cruise starring as this super spy?

8). In the Americans, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star as Russian Spies who have infiltrated the US as deep cover agents going by this family name?

9). Following his “death” in Forever Evil, this former Robin abandoned his Superhero identity to become Agent 37 within Spyral?

10). This well known and classic children’s character is a fictional spy that first appeared in the Louise Fitzhugh novel published in 1964. This character has since appeared in many movie and TV adaptations.

Answers: 1). Dr. No 2). Jason Bourne 3). Alias 4). John le Carre – David John Moore Cornwall 5). Black Widown – Natasha Romanoff 6). The Man from Uncle 7). Ethan Hunt 8) The Jennings Family 9) Dick Grayson — Nightwing 10). Harriet the Spy

Connections Round

1). In 1980, this volcano erupted, killing 57 people and lowered the average temperature by 0.1 degrees Celsius

2). This “Pizza Pizza” chain was founded in 1959 by the Ilitch family in Detroit

3). This baron was a poet whose most notable works include poems with the titles Ulysses, Morte d’Arthur, and the Charge of the Light Brigade

4). This nursery rhyme character (first collected by James Orchard Halliwell in 1842) and DC comics villain was Born on a Monday and Buried on a Sunday.

5). This hellblazing comic character was created by Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, Rick Veitch and John Totleben in 1985 and has been portrayed in live action by Keanu Reeves and Matt Ryan.

6). This prolific Washington Capitals goal scorer ranks third all time in goals behind Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky, but many expect that he will surpass Gretzky before retiring.

7). The name of this hand expression where you curl your three middle fingers while extending your thumb and pinky finger.

8). This blunt and controversial comedian became the first woman to host a late night television talk show (from 1989-1993) and became well known for her comedic red carpet award show celebrity interviews.

9). This villainous Star Trek character first appeared in the 2nd Star Trek film.

10). What is the Connection?

Answers 1). Mount St. Helen’s 2). Little Caesar’s 3). Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 4). Solomon Grundy 5). John Constantine 6). Alexander the Great 7). Shaka 8). Joan Rivers 9). Khan Noonian Singh 10). Famous Historical Leaders

I’m Melting (Emmet’s Category)

1. This trendy cheese entrée features heating a large portion of a cheese wheel and pouring the melted cheese over fries, meats, and other foods
   
2. “I’m melting, I’m melting” is the most famous line of this literary character
   
3. Melting dark chocolate in a culinary manner, called tempering, should be done at approximately what temperature?
   
4. Approximately what fraction of the polar ice caps have melted over the last decade?
   
5. French cuisine has an iconic take on the classic grilled cheese.  What is the name of this sandwich and the key ingredient (beyond bread and cheese). (2pts)
   
6. While we typically think of ice melting into liquid water, this process describes the direct transformation of ice into water vapor
   
7. This airport recently closed due to the extreme heat causing the tarmac to melt
   
8. The pop song “I Melt With You” was originally recorded by what band?
   
9. During the Japanese earthquake/tsunami event in March 2011, three of the six nuclear reactors at this power plant experienced nuclear meltdown
   
10. Though not exactly melted butter, this dairy product is quite popular in Indian cuisine?

Answers 1). Raclette 2.) The Wicked Witch of the West 3.) 120 – 130 F (50 – 55 C) 4.) ~ 13% 5). Croque Monsieur (Ham) 6.) Sublimation 7.) London Luton Airport 8.) Modern English 9.) Fukushima Daiichi 10.) Ghee

Crazy 8’s (Emmet’s 2nd Category)

1. In Adam Sandler’s song 8 Crazy Nights, this athlete is said to have converted to Judaism (he actually never converted)
   
2. He was the 8^th President of the United States
   
3. These are the 8 vegetables that are part of the original V8 juice
   
4. What colors are in a standard box of 8 Crayola Crayons
   
5. While Helen Willis Moody was the first tennis player to win at least 8 of the same Tennis Major, who was the first tennis player (male or female) to win 8 of the same Tennis Major (either the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, or US Open) in the Open Era in Singles?
   
6. In Buddhism, the Eightfold Path is symbolized by what?
   
7. The Beatles Song “Eight Days a Week” was originally released as part of what album (US or UK are acceptable)
   
8. Although he only appears briefly, this actor portrayed the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who
   
9. Although it looks like an 8 on its side, the scientific name of the infinity sign is what?
   
10. This is the 8^th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Franchise (in order of release date)

Answers 1.) Rod Carew 2.) Martin van Buren 3.) Beets, celery, carrots, lettuce, parsley, watercress, spinach, tomato 4.) Red, Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Brown 5.) Martina Navratilova (1987, Wimbledon) 6.) Dharma wheel (Dharmachakra) 7.) Beatles for Sale (UK), Beatles VI (US) 8.) Paul McGann 9.) Lemniscate 10.) Thor: The Dark World (Thor 2)