The COVID Pandemic Had a Surprising Effect on the Moon, According to a Scientific Study

Covid disrupted our lives and our world. However, few would have imagined that it would have repercussions in space!

To contain the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, governments worldwide imposed varying degrees of lockdowns. Schools closed, workers shifted to remote work or furlough, transportation decreased, and industrial production halted. This pause in our fast paced lifestyle had a notable impact on nature.

However, while Covid-19 disrupted life on Earth, a study in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society reveals an unexpected phenomenon: the Moon's temperature dropped during the lockdowns. Covid-19 seems to have had effects reaching into space, a true "lunar discovery."

The Indian scientists behind this finding used data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), analyzing readings between 2017 and 2023. They found that during the critical period of the first lockdowns in April and May 2020, temperatures on the Moon's surface dropped significantly compared to the previous year. The temperature dropped by 8 to 10°C at night!

This cooling may be linked to the sharp reduction in human activities and greenhouse gas emissions. In April 2020, CO2 emissions from aviation fell by 75%, surface transport by 50%, and energy production by 15%. Reduced pollution lessened Earth's greenhouse effect and terrestrial radiation, the Moon's main heat source when it's not sunlit. This disruption may have affected the Moon's thermal balance, especially on its near side.

However, while an 8-10°C difference is enormous on Earth, it should be put in perspective. During the day, the Moon reflects sunlight, and its surface temperature can rise to 130°C. At night, however, it can drop as low as -173°C. So, a difference of 8-10°C on the Moon's surface isn't as dramatic, but it is still significant enough to be noted and studied.

Although the hypothesis is serious, researchers caution that more data and analysis are needed to confirm it. Lunar observatories may be required. This study opens new possibilities for understanding how human activities impact extraterrestrial environments and offers a new way to track climate changes on Earth.