Hello, I'm an expert in astronomy and space sciences. Let's dive into your question about whether you can see the sun set on the moon.
The moon does not have an atmosphere like Earth does, which means it doesn't experience a sunset in the traditional sense. Instead, the sun simply appears to suddenly disappear as it passes below the lunar horizon. This is due to the sharpness of the lunar horizon as seen from the moon's surface, which is a result of the lack of atmospheric scattering of light. Additionally, the moon's rotation is tidally locked with Earth, meaning it rotates on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit Earth. This results in the same side of the moon always facing Earth, and thus, the sun rising and setting only in specific areas of the moon's surface.
However, it's important to note that humans have not been able to witness a lunar sunset directly from the moon's surface. All observations have been made through photographs and video captured by lunar orbiters and rovers.
read more >>