The reflection on astronomical points mainly reflects the spirit of not being afraid of hardship and fatigue.

Humans will not be able to live above 4500 meters above sea level. Astronomical point (place name) is located in the middle of Kunlun Mountain, with an altitude of 5 170 meters. It is stationed here all the year round by a frontier defense company of Xinjiang Military Region of China People's Liberation Army.

"There is not enough oxygen. I wear quilts in summer. There are no birds in the sky, and the wind blows stones." People describe the natural environment of astronomical points like this.

Because it is located on the plateau more than 5000 meters above sea level, the astronomical point is extremely short of oxygen. The oxygen content in the air is less than 45% of that of the flat land, but the ultraviolet intensity is 50% higher. The annual average temperature at astronomical points is below zero degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature difference between day and night is nearly 40 degrees. It was windy all day and snowed for half a year.

For those days and nights when I first arrived at the astronomical point, every soldier is unforgettable. Due to lack of oxygen, the soldiers endured headaches and chest tightness all day. Especially at night, almost everyone tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. "A few nights before I arrive at the astronomical point, my greatest wish is to have a deep sleep, even if it is only one or two hours." Soldier Gao Peng said.

Danger followed. One day in 2006, an assistant instructor went to the company to deliver vegetables to the soldiers. Before long, the assistant instructor fainted on the bed. The soldiers then came to give him first aid. After more than four hours of continuous oxygen inhalation, the assistant instructor finally woke up, but could not say a word.

Astronomically speaking, bathing is both happy and horrible for soldiers. The temperature here is low all the year round, and it is easy to catch a cold when taking a bath, which in turn leads to emphysema. Due to the poor medical conditions on the mountain, the mountain is far from the hospital, and the road is difficult to walk. Emphysema may take people's lives at any time.

The reporter found that many soldiers stationed at astronomical points have sunken nails. They said it was the result of lack of oxygen. Stay at the astronomical point for about 1 year, and this symptom will appear. In fact, this is only a superficial phenomenon. After being stationed for a long time, the fertility of some soldiers will even be affected.

When the reporter asked what was the most difficult thing to overcome in the plateau, the answer was surprisingly consistent-loneliness. The soldiers told reporters that after staying at the astronomical point for a long time, some physiological problems will gradually adapt. As time goes on, spiritual loneliness and loneliness become more and more prominent.

Staff Sergeant Jiao Mingming said that in their leisure time just up the mountain, the soldiers either told stories or talked about experiences, which was very lively. With little contact with the outside world, it was not long before everyone had nothing to say. Those who volunteer occasionally are still platitudes. Even after hearing a hilarious joke, everyone had to smile.

Soldier Li said: "I feel very lonely when I encounter strong winds and power outages." I often take my dog around the barracks several times. "

There is no seasonal change in astronomical points, and time can only be measured by calendar. There is no green at the astronomical point, and all the soldiers see all day is white snow. Before going up the mountain, the soldiers would pick some leaves and put them in a book and take them to the mountain. When you are free, you will carefully hold it in your hand and enjoy it. After going down the mountain, the soldiers shed tears at the first sight of vibrant green.

In recent years, with the care and support from all walks of life, the situation of the astronomical frontier defense company has greatly improved.

Because most of the year is closed by heavy snow, for a long time, soldiers eat the most "four famous dishes"-cabbage, potatoes, radishes and onions. At present, the Xinjiang Military Region has repaired the road leading to astronomical points and increased the supply of vegetables to astronomical points. Even in the long winter, soldiers can eat more kinds of vegetables.

In the past, soldiers had to rely on stoves to keep warm in winter. Now, the company has not only provided heating, but also the barracks have been repaired and improved, so the soldiers no longer have to worry about heating in winter.

A few years ago, soldiers had to wait for months to receive letters from relatives and friends, and they had to read a letter dozens of times. Now, the company has installed a telephone, and soldiers can call home every week to report their safety. At present, the soldiers at Astronomical Point can watch TV and surf the military network every day to keep abreast of national and world events.

The company's medical conditions have also been greatly improved. At present, professional military doctors are stationed at astronomical points in turn to pay close attention to the health of soldiers. In addition, a special medical team regularly visits the company every year to send doctors and medicines to the soldiers.

Someone told the soldiers at Astronomical Point that you are also a hero lying here sleeping every day. To this, the soldiers smiled indifferently.

On the hillside opposite the astronomical outpost, the soldiers built a huge map of China with stones. The soldiers said that whenever they saw this map, they would feel a sense of pride and great responsibility.

Like the first night after going up the mountain, the soldiers couldn't sleep at night on the last night before changing their posts. The difference is that this time they can't sleep because of altitude sickness, but they are reluctant to leave the astronomical point.

Zhang Xisheng, the company commander, said that the astronomical point is the place where soldiers surpass themselves and the second hometown. At the changing ceremony, the soldiers preparing to go down the mountain hugged each other and cried, unwilling to get on the bus. The handover ceremony originally planned for half an hour is usually delayed to two hours. After the motorcade leaves, the dogs that accompany the soldiers day and night will also run away.