Science

Indian scientists recently made a fascinating discovery: the global COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 affected not only Earth but also the Moon’s temperature. A study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters found that lunar nighttime temperatures dropped by 8-10 Kelvin during the strict lockdown period between April and May 2020.

Led by Dr. K. Durga Prasad and Dr. G. Ambily from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), the research team used data collected by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The team analysed six sites on the Moon’s nearside between 2017 and 2023, comparing the temperature records from various years. They observed a clear decrease in temperature during the height of global lockdowns, compared to other years in the study. The reduction in Earth’s outgoing radiation during this time, linked to decreased human activity and fewer greenhouse gas emissions, is believed to have caused the unusual cooling on the lunar surface.

Temperature Analysis and Future Implications

According to the research, the lowest lunar temperature recorded in 2020 was 96.2 K at one of the sites, whereas the highest of the lowest temperatures was 143.8 K in 2022. The temperature variations across years suggest that the Moon’s thermal environment is sensitive to changes on Earth.

The scientists suggest that this unique period of global inactivity has provided insight into the relationship between Earth’s atmosphere and the Moon. Though more data is needed to fully understand this correlation, the study opens up new possibilities for observing Earth’s climate from the Moon. Future lunar-based observatories may play a significant role in monitoring the Earth’s environment and improving our understanding of planetary interactions.

This discovery highlights how events on Earth can influence celestial bodies in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Honor Patent Application Hints at Device With Multi-Directional Foldable Screen



China Introduces Advanced Spacesuit for 2030 Moon Landing Mission

Related Stories

Articles You May Like

Paul Skenes rookie card could fetch big haul from Pirates
AI Technology Detects Cancerous Brain Tumours in 10 Seconds During Surgery
US court issues arrest warrant for one of India’s richest men over ‘$250m bribes’
Police arrest teenagers after stolen car crashes and catches fire at end of 100mph chase
Cloud software company ServiceTitan files to go public on Nasdaq