That Dalgona coffee you made in 2020? It may have cooled the Moon. Yes, really
Produced by: BT Desk
Covid lockdowns may have cooled the Moon
Indian researchers found that the 2020 global lockdowns caused an unusual dip in lunar surface temperatures during April-May 2020, revealing how changes on Earth impacted its celestial neighbor.
Temperature drop of 8-10 Kelvin observed
Data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter showed a consistent 8-10 Kelvin temperature drop on the Moon during the lockdown months compared to previous years.
Credit: NASA
Earth's outgoing radiation linked to lunar cooling
Researchers linked the Moon's temperature drop to a reduction in Earth's outgoing radiation during the lockdown, as reduced human activity led to lower emissions and aerosols.
12 years of data analyzed, seven years used in study
Researchers studied lunar temperature data from 2017 to 2023, comparing pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown years to isolate the impact of decreased human activity.
Sites on Moon's nearside studied for temperature changes
Six sites on the Moon's nearside, including Oceanus Procellarum and Mare Serenitatis, were analyzed for temperature variations. Site-2 saw the lowest temperature of 96.2 K in 2020.
Moon amplifies Earth's radiation changes
"The Moon acts as an amplifier of Earth's radiation signature," said researcher Prasad, showing how Earth's environmental shifts can be reflected on its nearest celestial body.
Other factors ruled out as causes
Researchers ruled out solar activity and seasonal flux variation as causes of the observed temperature drop, confirming that the changes were due solely to Earth's lockdown period.
Temperature trend reversed post-lockdown
A noticeable warming trend was observed in 2021 and 2022, once human activities resumed, further supporting the idea that Earth's radiation changes affect lunar temperatures.
Call for future Moon-based observatories
Researchers suggest that future Moon-based observatories could help further study how Earth's climate shifts influence lunar conditions, offering deeper insights into our planet's environmental changes.
More data needed for conclusive link
While the study shows a strong correlation, the authors caution that more data is required to fully establish the connection between Earth's radiation shifts and lunar surface temperatures.