Lunar Month - Cycle Length

Cycle Length

However, regardless of the culture, all lunar months approximate the mean length of the synodic month, or how long it takes to pass through each phase (new, half, full moon) and back again. It takes 29.53059 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds). Interestingly, the moon finishes its orbit around the earth in 27.3 days, but it has not finished a full cycle until it reaches the point in its orbit where the sun is in the same position.

Read more about this topic:  Lunar Month

Famous quotes containing the words cycle and/or length:

    Only mediocrities progress. An artist revolves in a cycle of masterpieces, the first of which is no less perfect than the last.
    Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)

    When at length they rose to go to bed, it struck each man as he followed his neighbour upstairs that the one before him walked very crookedly.
    —R.S. (Robert Smith)