Can you see a lunar eclipse if the sun is up?

Answer 1

Hi Speech!

From the earth, you wouldn't be able to see a lunar eclipse in the daytime, for these reasons:

1) Since lunar eclipses only happen when moon and sun are diametrically opposite, only one body will be fully in the sky at any given time. If the sun is visible, a lunar eclipse may be in progress, but you wouldn't see it because the earth itself would be blocking your view of the moon;

2) It is mathematically possible for bits of the sun and moon to appear in the sky at the same time for fleeting moments. For example, while the full moon is coming up, a flickering bit of sun rays may still be visible. Even then, however, you would not be able to see the eclipsed part of the moon. The sky from earth would be too bright. The eclipsed part, which you might be able to see against a fully dark sky, would be washed out by the blue glare of the twilight sky.

There IS a way you could see both at the same time, but it would take you some time and possibly a LOT of money. If you could get above the surface of the earth, say aboard the space station, you could see both sun and moon at the same time for short periods when the spacecraft is exactly above the line between day and night. The sky up there is dark, so you could see the eclipsed parts of the moon.

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of work to become an astronaut and the cost of going up as a paying space tourist is likely beyond both our budgets! (giggles)

Answer 2

Hi. No. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are opposite, so the Moon would be below the horizon.

Answer 3

No.

By definition, the Earth would need to be between the Sun and the Moon therefore both the Sun and Moon could not be visible at the same time.

Answer 4

thats not how it works