Q
QuestionAstronomy

Why do moon phases repeat about every 28 days?
6 months agoReport content

Answer

Full Solution Locked

Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.

Step 1
Let me solve this problem step by step:

Step 2
: Understand the Lunar Orbital Mechanics

The moon's phases repeat approximately every 29.5 days, which is known as the synodic month or lunar month. This is different from the moon's actual orbital period around Earth.

Final Answer

Moon phases repeat every 29.5 days due to the complex orbital mechanics of the moon's revolution around Earth and the Earth-Sun system, requiring slightly more than one complete orbit to return to the same apparent position relative to the Sun.