Abstract
A newly available data set of daily satellite-derived, lower-tropospheric global temperature anomalies provides an opportunity to assess the influence of lunar phase on planetary temperature. These results reveal a statistically significant 0.02 K modulation between new moon and full moon, with the warmest daily global temperatures over a synodic month coincident with the occurrence of the full moon. Spectral analysis of the daily temperature record confirms the presence of a periodicity that matches the lunar synodic (29.53-day) cycle. The precision of the satellite-based daily temperature record allows verification that the moon exerts a discernible influence on the short-term, global temperature record.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1481-1483 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 267 |
Issue number | 5203 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 10 1995 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General