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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-moon-temperature-swings

What are temperatures like on the Moon's surface?

Extreme: about 260 degrees F in sunlight and about minus 280 degrees F in darkness.

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  1. Always about 70 degrees F
  2. Always below freezing
  3. About 260 F in sun, minus 280 F in dark ✔

Why: The Moon has almost no atmosphere to trap or spread heat. Sunlit ground bakes at about 260 degrees F, and shaded ground drops to about minus 280 degrees F.

Huh, didn't know that: On Earth, the air acts like a blanket. The Moon has no blanket, so it swings from oven to deep freeze.

The dad joke
Why do Moon astronauts bring a jacket and sunscreen? The forecast is hot with a chance of frozen.
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References

Answer: About 260 F in sun, minus 280 F in dark. The Moon has almost no atmosphere to trap or spread heat. Sunlit ground bakes at about 260 degrees F, and shaded ground drops to about minus 280 degrees F.

  1. NASA Science: Earth's Moon Facts science.nasa.gov/moon/facts
    The temperature on the Moon reaches about 260 degrees Fahrenheit
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NASA Science: Earth's Moon Facts science.nasa.gov/moon/facts
    in darkness, the temperatures plummet to about -280 degrees Fahrenheit
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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