FILE: China - 2013 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of photo of Comet 311P
2. Picture showing orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth Mars, Comet 311P

Beijing, China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yan Wei, senior engineer, National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (starting with shots 1-2):
"The main-belt comet is another type of asteroid. It should be noted that it is not a true comet, but it may share some characteristics with comets, which is why it is called a main-belt comet or active asteroid. It may emit substances, including gas and particles, when it is close to the sun, which has been observed and is another research hotspot."

FILE: China - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Various of astronomical telescope
5. Photos of Comet 311P

China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Animation of Tianwen-2 probe, asteroid in space
7. Animation of Tianwen-2 probe exploring comet

China's soon-to-be-launched Tianwen-2 probe will explore the Comet 311P in an effort to better understand the composition, structure and evolution of small space objects, said an expert of the National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Tianwen-2 probe, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2025, will collect samples from near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3 and explore Comet 311P, the China National Space Administration announced on Thursday.

Comet 311P orbits in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids reside, containing over 90 percent of the asteroids in the solar system. It displays features of both comets and asteroids. It has become the seventh main-belt comet confirmed by human beings, and it is also the most peculiar one so far.

"The main-belt comet is another type of asteroid. It should be noted that it is not a true comet, but it may share some characteristics with comets, which is why it is called a main-belt comet or active asteroid. It may emit substances, including gas and particles, when it is close to the sun, which has been observed and is another research hotspot," said Yan Wei, a senior engineer at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

According to the traditional theory, comets typically originate from the outer edges of the solar system and are rich in ice. As they approach the sun, the heat causes the ice to vaporize, forming their characteristic tails. However, Comet 311P, which is located in the asteroid belt -- far closer to the sun than typical comets -- faces intense solar radiation, making it unlikely to retain volatile substances like water ice. This comet challenges astronomers' traditional understanding.

The Tianwen-2 probe is set to visit Comet 311P, the "rebel" of the asteroid belt, to uncover the mysteries that defy current knowledge.