What is the difference between a synodic month and a sidereal month?
A)A synodic month is our 30 or 31 day calendar month and a sidereal month is the time it takes for a cycle of the Moon's phases.
B)A synodic month is the time it takes for a cycle of lunar phases and a sidereal month is the time it takes the Moon to orbit Earth (relative to the stars).
C)A synodic month is the time it takes for a cycle of the Moon's phases and a sidereal month is our 30 or 31 day calendar month.
D)A synodic month is based on the orbit of some planet around the Sun and a sidereal month is based on the orbit of the Moon around Earth.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A synodic month is the time it takes for the Moon to return to the same phase (e.g. full moon to full moon) and is about 29.5 Earth days. A sidereal month is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one orbit around the Earth relative to the stars and is about 27.3 Earth days. The sidereal month is a shorter period of time than the synodic month because in the time it takes the Moon to return to the same phase, the Earth has also moved a significant amount in its orbit around the Sun. So, the correct option is B.

What Is the Difference Between a Synodic Month and a Sidereal