Can photosynthesis take place without the sun? if no, why not?

Question

Can photosynthesis take place without the sun? if no, why not?

Answer 1

PHOTOsynthesis, by definition, requires light, either natural or artificial.  There are similar reactions that some organisms use in the deep ocean to obtain energy from heat sources like volcanic vents on the ocean floor.  Since there is no light this is not photosynthesis, but is called thermosynthesis, or something like that.  These reactions are different, but still produce energy or food for the plant or animal.  Nature found a way to sustain life without the need of sunlight as the energy source.

If there is life on any of the moons of Jupiter or Saturn, it would use the internal heat of the moon as the energy source because the sunlight would be so dim that far away.  Nature may have used the same methods way out there too.

Answer 2

Plants needs blue and red light to photosynthesize.  You can supply this artificially with lights, but artificial lights usually don't have the energy output of the sun.  So artificial lights will be less affective at driving photosynthesis.