Scoopy writes:
"some" wouldn't have to be much, I'm thinking maybe like 1,000 miles?
I think I see what you're getting at with respect to life on the moon. While the moon's distance from the sun averages the same as the earth's distance, its maximum difference is about 200,000 miles farther and its minimum distance is about 200,000 miles closer.
The moon's climate would have higher high temperatures and lower low temperatures than earth
if it had an atmosphere. Since it doesn't, the temperature dynamics are much different.
On earth, the atmosphere and the oceans absorb energy from the sun and act as a "buffer" to moderate temperatures. Heat absorbed when we are close to the sun is released when we are farther away. Thus, the change in distance from the sun has less effect than might be expected.
When you come right down to it, though, the moon has no life because of the lack of oxygen and water, not because of the extreme climate.
Edited by Ringo, : Removed inappropriate subtitle.
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