we explain this surprising (and useful) discovery to you

See my news
Follow News

As incredible as it may seem, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an unexpected effect on the Moon. Between April and May 2020, certain areas of our natural satellite lost 8 to 10°C on average. As we can guess from the dates, it is more precisely the confinements linked to the coronavirus which are responsible.

In any case, this is what a study by the Physical Research Laboratory, published in mid-September in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

8 to 10°C less

Be careful, 8 to 10°C, for us Earthlings, this seems absolutely enormous, but we must qualify. During the day, the Moon reflects light from the Sun and the temperature on its surface can rise to almost 130°C. During the night, on the other hand, it can go down to -173°C.

These extreme variations can be explained by the fact that our satellite has no atmosphere. Also, exposed regions heat up very quickly, and others cool down just as quickly. In fact, 8 to 10°C at the surface doesn’t change everything either. But it still remains significant enough to be noted and explained.

The decline in human activities during the pandemic in question

In fact, during lockdowns, “anthropogenic emissions decreased significantly,” writes Professor Durga Prasad, author of the study. An evolution of greenhouse gases due to human activity which had the effect of reducing the optical depth of aerosols by 32%, and the reflection of clear skies above the seas of East Asia by 7%.

Without going into details, we can affirm that these data greatly influence what we call terrestrial radiation. And terrestrial radiation is the only source of heat for the Moon when it is not directly illuminated by the Sun.

Thus, human activity having decreased during confinements, terrestrial radiation followed, which influenced the temperature of the Moon. At least, from six specific areas studied by the researchers.

Why is this so interesting?

The study is very serious, but still requires formal confirmation. If all the data is consolidated, this discovery could be most interesting for humans.

In fact, by observing surface temperatures on the Moon, we could track variations in Earth’s terrestrial radiation. Which would offer a new method for studying and better understanding the climate changes that our planet is experiencing, in a stable and reliable manner. Without the atmospheric interference that can be encountered on Earth.

As the author says, “Moon-based observatories can become potential tools for observing Earth’s environmental changes and should be explored in depth.”

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.