Indian scientists discovered an unexpected connection between the coronavirus pandemic on Earth and the surface temperature of the Moon. They used data from a probe that orbits the satellite.
The results showed that during the most severe quarantine from April to May 2020, the average nighttime temperature of the lunar surface dropped by 8-10° compared to the same period in other years.
The researchers analyzed alternative factors, such as solar activity, but found no external causes that could explain the changes.
Scientists attribute the drop in temperature to a reduction in radiation emanating from the Earth due to a sharp decline in industrial activity and, as a result, a decrease in emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols.
The research results provide a new tool for monitoring environmental changes on Earth. Lunar observatories can be used to monitor the state of our planet’s environment.
