流利说 L6-U1 P2 Reading

Winter in Antarctica(南极洲)

On Antarctica, the world's coldest continent, the average high temperature is -49 degree Celsius([ˈselsiəs]摄氏度). In the summer, the sun never sets, and in the winter, it never rises. Keeping sane there is its own special challenge.

The McMurdo Station(麦克默多站) is a research base perched on the edge of the Rose Ice Shelf, the world's largest body of  floating ice. The station is administered by the United States and is the largest community in Antarctica. Capable of supporting more than 1200 residents, the population of the station drops to 150 brave (perhaps foolish) people when winter begins in March. Their task is going to maintain the station during the months of total night. The biologists, astronomers, geologists, and climate scientists who were there before, have gone, as any research is impossible in the brutal winter.

Every day the remaining staff of maintenance personnel perform their routine tasks and make repairs when needed. Sometimes they peer through the darkness toward their friends from New Zealand, at Scott Base, about two miles away. Though most of the time they're just voices on the radio, it's nice to have neighbors not too far way. Together, they share a power grid and one coast of a dark forbidding continent. Though the days are dark and freezing cold in the depths of winter, the moon will rest above the horizon for weeks at a time. Its pale light illuminates the cold, craggy landscape as if acknowledging a companion and reaffirming the bonds of life. So even for those who live in the darkest part of the Earth, there's light.

It's about the importance of connections.

The highest temperature is minus 49 degree Celsius.

Something is routine if it is...normal and expected.

A power grid is needed too...supply electricity.

The biologists, astronomers, geologists, and climate scientists who were there before. have gone, as any research is impossible in the brutal winter.

Keeping sane there is its own special challenge.

The biologist, astronomers, geologists, and climate scientists who were there before,  have gone, as any research is impossible in the brutal winter.

Sometimes they peer through the darkness toward their friends from New Zealand, at Scott Base, about two miles away. Though most of the time they're just voices on the radio, it's nice to have neighbors not too far away. Together, they share a power grid and one coast of a dark forbidding continent.

In the summer, the sun never sets, and in the winter, it never rises.

The writer shares what it feels like to live and work in Antarctica.

Even for those who live in the darkest part of the Earth, there is light.