Scientists Confirm: The Pandemic Had No Impact on the Moon

Can a pandemic change the Moon’s temperature? A 2024 study suggested global lockdowns reduced Earth’s heat radiation, cooling the Moon. But new research says otherwise.

The original idea: As businesses shut down in 2020 and people stayed home, carbon emissions dropped, lowering terrestrial radiation—the heat Earth emits and the Moon absorbs. Scientists noted a dip in lunar nighttime temperatures during April and May 2020, aligning with peak lockdowns.

However, researchers from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) revisited the data and found inconsistencies. Similar temperature drops occurred in 2018 and steadily declined in 2019, unrelated to COVID-19.

Lunar Temperature Shifts Follow Natural Cycles, Not Pandemic Effects

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data points to natural temperature cycles rather than a single pandemic-related dip. Another 2021 study showed emissions reductions during COVID-19 mainly affected Earth’s lower atmosphere, not enough to alter lunar temperatures.

“We’re not denying temperatures dropped at times,” says Missouri S&T engineer William Schonberg. “But it’s a stretch to say human activity was the main cause.”

The new study even suggests fewer pollutants and clearer skies could have increased heat reflection to the Moon, potentially warming it instead.

Many factors influence lunar temperatures, but researchers conclude human activity—during COVID-19 or otherwise—likely has little to no measurable impact.

“During the Moon’s nighttime, Earth’s heat and radiation might have a tiny effect,” Schonberg adds, “but it would be too small to notice.”

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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