Understanding the Moon’s Temperature Swings
"The temperature just wildly swings from extremely hot to extremely cold," explains John Monnier, an astronomy professor at the University of Michigan.
The Moon, Earth’s natural satellite, often appears as a barren, icy rock in the night sky. But just how cold does it get on the Moon? And are these frigid extremes consistent across its surface.
In reality, the Moon’s temperature is far from constant and can vary dramatically.
Unlike Earth, which maintains relatively stable temperatures thanks to its atmosphere and oceans, the Moon experiences extreme fluctuations based on sunlight exposure. Live Science reports that these shifts can be striking.
“The temperature just wildly swings from extremely hot to extremely cold,” explains John Monnier, an astronomy professor at the University of Michigan. According to Monnier, lunar temperatures can plummet to about -148 degrees Fahrenheit (-100 degrees Celsius) and soar to over 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius).
For comparison, Earth’s average surface temperature is about 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), with recorded extremes ranging from -129 degrees Fahrenheit (-89 degrees Celsius) to 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius), as per NASA.
Earth’s atmosphere and vast oceans help moderate these temperatures by absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing solar energy over time, maintaining a more stable environment.
The Moon, on the other hand, lacks such protective mechanisms.
Its rocky surface alternates between baking in sunlight and freezing in shadow. A lunar day and night each last roughly 14 Earth days, exposing the surface to prolonged periods of intense sunlight followed by extended darkness.
This lengthy day-night cycle amplifies the temperature swings, making the Moon a place of both searing heat and bitter cold.
Despite its extreme environment, the Moon remains a focal point for scientific study, shedding light on the differences between Earth and other celestial bodies.