Difference Between Sidereal and Synodic

Sidereal vs Synodic

Sidereal and synodic are related to the period of bodies in orbit.

“Sidereal” can be defined as the time required for one period to repeat in relation to stars. On the contrary, “synodic” can be defined as the time required for one period to repeat in relation to a solar body.

Synodic period can also be defined as the position of objects with respect to the sun. So a period from one full moon to another full moon can be termed as synodic cycle. A sidereal period is also defined as the position of an object with respect to the stars.

The synodic month is a bit longer than the sidereal month. When a synodic month lasts 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes, a sidereal month lasts 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes.

The word “sidereal” has been derived from Latin “sidus,” which means “star.” The word “synodic” has been derived from Greek “synodos,” which means “meeting or joining together or coming together.”

A sidereal day refers to the rotation of Earth once a day in relation to the stars. A sidereal month is the movement of the moon once around the Earth in relation to the stars. A sidereal year is the movement of the Earth around the sun once in relation to the stars. After a sidereal month, the moon moves a little farther to position itself with the Earth in respect to the sun.

A synodic day, which is also called a solar day, refers to the rotation of Earth once a day in relation to the sun. A synodic month is the movement of the moon once around the earth in relation to the stars. A synodic year is the period taken for a planet-sun alignment to form. A synodic year is about 20 minutes shorter than a sidereal year.

Summary:

1.A synodic period can be defined as the position of objects with respect to the sun.
2.A sidereal period is defined as the position of an object with respect to the stars.
3.When a synodic month lasts 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes, a sidereal month lasts 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes.
4.A synodic year is about 20 minutes shorter than a sidereal year.
5.The word “sidereal” has been derived from Latin “sidus,” which means “star.” The word “synodic” has been derived from Greek “synodos,” which means “meeting or joining together or coming together.”

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