--- title: "Chinese scientists achieve record low temperature in space" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/chinese-scientists-achieve-record-low-temperature-in-space" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/chinese-scientists-achieve-record-low-temperature-in-space" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/chinese-scientists-achieve-record-low-temperature-in-space.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/chinese-scientists-achieve-record-low-temperature-in-space" category: "Science & Tech" area: "China" published: "2026-11-06T22:05:12.312Z" source_reported: "2026-11-06T20:28:01.000Z" updated: "2026-11-06T22:05:12.312Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 40 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-11-06T22:01:10.124250+00:00" --- # Chinese scientists achieve record low temperature in space *Experiment on Tiangong space station cools rubidium atoms to 9.7 picokelvins.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body (Science journal) and corroborated by 19 outlets. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear and holds together, with specific figures and dates provided. - Hype 40 of 100, lower is better. The language is mostly measured, with some mild emphasis on the record-breaking nature of the achievement. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Chinese scientists have achieved a record low temperature of 9.7 picokelvins on the Tiangong space station. - The research, published in the journal Science, involved cooling rubidium atoms in a microgravity environment. - This new record is four times lower than the previous record of 38 picokelvins. - The achievement opens possibilities for new experiments in quantum physics and precision measurements. Chinese scientists have set a new world record for the lowest temperature, achieving 9.7 picokelvins aboard the Tiangong space station. The research, published in the journal Science, involved cooling rubidium atoms in a microgravity environment. This achievement is four times lower than the previous record of 38 picokelvins and could pave the way for new experiments in quantum physics and precision measurements. ## Disagreement on previous records While the research published in Science achieved 9.7 picokelvins, the previous record low temperature was 38 picokelvin, according to Phys.org. However, in.gr states the previous record was 38 pivokelvin, and that experiments on the International Space Station reached 52 picokelvin. vz.ru and 1prime.ru report that the Chinese scientists broke previous US and German records. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific uncertainty range for the 9.7 picokelvin measurement, which was detailed in Phys.org's full report. None of the right-rated digests mention the journal Science as the publication for the research. ## Who covered it Shares of the 8 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 50% (4) - Centre: 37% (3) - Right: 13% (1) 12 of 20 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-06T22:01:10.124250+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-06T23:00:07.368Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports highlighted the record-breaking nature of the achievement and its implications for physics. Xinhua's digest stated that China set a world record for the coldest temperature aboard a space station. CGTN's digest noted that Chinese scientists cooled rubidium atoms to 9.7 trillionths of a degree above absolute zero, a record low. in.gr's full report detailed the creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate and mentioned Albert Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose, as well as the previous record of 38 pivokelvin and the International Space Station's record of 52 picokelvin. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the scientific achievement and its potential applications. Phys.org's full report explained the process of cooling atoms to near absolute zero, the challenges posed by gravity, and the use of optical dipole traps. It detailed the experiment's success in reaching 9.7 picokelvins, with an uncertainty range, and noted the longer free expansion time compared to previous experiments. South China Morning Post's digest mentioned smashing US and German records and the potential for ultra-precise space sensors. Science News' digest stated that atoms orbiting Earth on China's space station reached about 10 trillionths of a kelvin. ### Right - The right-rated report from vz.ru's digest stated that Chinese scientists cooled rubidium atoms at the Tiangun Space Station to record low temperatures, breaking previous US and German records. It also mentioned that this breakthrough would allow the creation of ultra-precision space sensors. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 3 - unknown: 12 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [abovethenormnews.com](https://abovethenormnews.com/2026/11/06/coldest-matter-ever-created) — China Creates the Coldest Matter Ever Recorded in Space, Pushing Physics Towards Its Absolute Limit - [techmaniacs.gr](https://techmaniacs.gr/ligo-prin-to-apolyto-miden-egrapsan-istoria-ston-kineziko-diastimiko-stathmo) — Just Before Absolute Zero: They Made History on the Chinese Space Station - Techmaniacs - [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-scientists-temperature-china-space-station.html) — Scientists achieve record-breaking low temperature on China's space station, paving the way for new physics experiments - [Potosinoticias.com](https://potosinoticias.com/2026/11/06/cientificos-chinos-alcanzan-temperatura-record-de-9-7-picokelvin-en-el-espacio) — Chinese Scientists Reach Record Temperature of 9.7 Picokelvin in Space - [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/ciencia/2026-11-06-recorde-na-estacao-espacial-cientistas-chineses-geram-temperatura-ultrabaixa-de-97-picokelvin-7c329054) — Space Station Record: Chinese Scientists Generate Ultra-Low Temperature of 9.7 Picokelvin - [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/11/06/in-science/episthmes/sto-katofli-tou-apolytou-midenos-peirama-ston-kineziko-diastimiko-stathmo-espase-rekor-xamilis-thermokrasias) — On the Threshold of Absolute Zero – Experiment on Chinese Space Station Breaks Low Temperature Record - [Publico](https://publico.pt/2026/11/06/ciencia/noticia/cientistas-chineses-atingem-temperatura-recorde-experiencia-estacao-espacial-2193991) — Chinese Scientists Reach Record Temperature in Space Station Experience - [techgear.gr](https://techgear.gr/kineziko-peirama-sto-diastima-kategrapse-tin-pio-chamili-thermokrasia-sto-sympan-51232) — Chinese Experiment in Space Records Lowest Temperature in the Universe - [shiftdelete.net](https://shiftdelete.net/cin-uzay-istasyonu-97-pk) — China's Space Station Sets a Record of 9.7 pK. - [1prime.ru](https://1prime.ru/20261106/uchenye-874985755.html) — Chinese Scientists Cooled the Ruby Atoms to Record Low Temperatures. - [Issuesfr](https://issues.fr/temperature-record-creee-sur-la-station-spatiale-chinoise) — Record Temperature Created on the Chinese Space Station - [Xinhua](https://english.news.cn/20261106/b1e05437fb304f60bf51fc68299dfd4f/c.html) — China Focus: China sets world record for coldest temperature aboard space station - [China Daily](https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202611/06/WS6aed7c53e4b03ebf8519ad10.html) — China Sets World Record for Coldest Temperature Aboard Space Station - [AntyWeb](https://antyweb.pl/padl-rekord-zimna-niezwykly-eksperyment-naukowcow) — Cold Record Broken. Scientists Conduct an Extraordinary Experiment. - [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/11/6/1472958.html) — Chinese Scientists Set a Temperature Record at the Tiangun Station - [scinexx.de](https://scinexx.de/news/physik/rekordniedrige-temperatur-in-quantengas-auf-chinas-raumstation-erzeugt) — Record Low Temperature Generated in Quantum Gas on China's Space Station - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/tech/3079524/cientistas-chineses-atingem-temperatura-recorde-na-estacao-espacial) — Chinese Scientists Reach Record Temperature in Space Station - [CGTN](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-11-06/China-s-space-station-sets-new-atomic-cooling-record-1RQdO3Hp52E/p.html) — China's space station sets new atomic cooling record - [South China Morning Post](https://scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3373343/chinese-scientists-chill-atoms-record-low-tiangong-space-station) — Chinese scientists chill atoms to record low on Tiangong space station - [Science News](https://sciencenews.org/article/lowest-temperature-china-space-station) — Record-low temperature created on China’s space station ## Questions **What is the record low temperature achieved by Chinese scientists?** Chinese scientists achieved a record low temperature of 9.7 picokelvins aboard the Tiangong space station. This is equivalent to 9.7 trillionths of a degree above absolute zero, making it four times colder than the previous record. **Where was the experiment conducted and why?** The experiment was conducted on the Tiangong space station in a microgravity environment. Microgravity helps overcome the limitations imposed by Earth's gravity, which can interfere with experiments aiming for extremely low temperatures and precise measurements. **What does this achievement mean for physics?** Achieving such an extremely low temperature allows atoms to move very slowly, enabling scientists to observe their quantum behaviour for longer periods. This could lead to new experiments in quantum physics, precision measurements, and potentially testing fundamental theories like Einstein's theory of gravity. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/tech/chinese-scientists-achieve-record-low-temperature-in-space. 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