Question

The temperature on the moon can range from -173 degree Celsius at night to +127 degree Celsius in the daytime. How do you explain the vast difference in day and night temperature?

Answer 1

The main reasons for the temperature fluctuations between day and night are the lack of humidity and cloud cover. Because of water's relatively high specific heat, humid air takes longer to warm or cool, while drier air warms or cools more quickly. Because desert areas receive a large amount of sunlight, the temperatures can get very high, but when the sun is no longer providing heat, the dry air cools quickly. The lack of cloud cover overhead allows the warmer air to rise into the atmosphere while cooler air settles in its place. Basically, desert temperatures vary so much because there are less moisture and cloud cover to keep the heat there.