Book 8, Question 41
Why Is There Almost No Weather on the Moon?
There is almost no weather on the Moon because it has almost no air! The Moon's gravity is too weak to hold a thick atmosphere, so there is no wind, rain, or clouds, only silent, dusty stillness. No air blanket means no weather show!
More fun facts
- The Moon's very thin atmosphere is mostly helium, neon and argon.
- It is so thin that scientists call it an exosphere, much too thin to make weather like Earth's.
- NASA compares it to the haze of dust you get when you whack a dirty rug with a broom.
- Without a blanket of air, the Moon swings quickly between searing heat and bone-chilling cold.
- Instead, the Moon's 'weather' comes straight from space: space rocks of all sizes and particles shot out by the Sun.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA Science, NASA
Questions kids ask
Does it ever rain on the Moon?
No. The Moon does not have enough air for rain, snow or wind.