Lunar surface. Computer artwork of a view across the surface of the Moon towards Earth in the distance. The Moon has no atmosphere to scatter sunlight, as a result the lunar sky appears black at any time of day. Another consequence of the lack of an atmosphere is that surface temperatures vary widely, from 100 degrees Celsius during the day to minus 170 degrees Celsius at night. It is thought that the surface is buried under a 16 miles thick layer of shattered rock, dust, and debris from over four billion years of meteorites, micrometeorites, and comets striking the moon's surface.