Calculating Synodic Period using Sidereal Period: Is there a Reliable Formula?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the synodic period of the Moon using its sidereal period. The correct formula is given by the equation: 1/synodic_moon = 1/sidereal_moon - 1/sidereal_Earth. The Moon's actual sidereal period is 27.32 days, not 29 days as initially stated. Using the correct values in the formula yields a synodic period of approximately 29.53 days, contradicting earlier incorrect estimates of 33.3 days and 36.7 days.

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  • Understanding of synodic and sidereal periods
  • Familiarity with basic astronomical formulas
  • Knowledge of the Earth's sidereal year (365.25 days)
  • Ability to perform fractional calculations
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Astronomers, astrophysics students, and anyone interested in celestial mechanics and lunar cycles will benefit from this discussion.

University
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Is there any formula to calculate Synodic period using for example the Moon's Sidereal period

Lets say moon sidereal period is 29 days what would be its synodic period?
 
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University said:
Is there any formula to calculate Synodic period using for example the Moon's Sidereal period

Lets say moon sidereal period is 29 days what would be its synodic period?

You need to use the period of the Earth's sidereal year and the equation:

\frac{1}{synodic_{moon}} = \frac{1}{sidereal_{moon}}- \frac{1}{sidereal_{Earth}}
 
Does 33.3 days sound right?
 
University said:
Does 33.3 days sound right?

No.

First, it is not the answer you would get if you use 29 days for the Moon's sidereal period, and secondly 29 days is not the Moon's sidereal period (neither is the value you apparently used, if you did the equation right).
 
Thanks for all the hints and help but the exact problem in the text states:

If the sidereal period of the moon is 29.0 days(instead of the correct 27.32 days) what would be its synodic period?

HINT: consider how far around the sun the Earth & Moon would have traveled in 29.0 days
 
University said:
Thanks for all the hints and help but the exact problem in the text states:

If the sidereal period of the moon is 29.0 days(instead of the correct 27.32 days) what would be its synodic period?

HINT: consider how far around the sun the Earth & Moon would have traveled in 29.0 days

Like I said in my last post, 33.3 days is still not correct if you use a value of 29 days for the sidereal period. How did you arrive at that value?
 
I use the equation u posted

1/Synodic period = 1/Moon sidereal Period - 1/earth's sidereal period
= 1/29 -1/365
 
33.3 days is not the answer I get when using those numbers in the equation.
 
E = Earth sidereal year
P = Other planet sidereal year
Then sp = 1/(1/E-1/P)

using this eq I get 36.7 days. Is this correct?
 
Last edited:
  • #10
University said:
E = Earth sidereal year
P = Other planet sidereal year
Then sp = 1/(1/E-1/P)

using this eq I get 36.7 days. Is this correct?

No. I don't understand how you are coming up with these answers with the numbers you are using and the equation given.
 
  • #11
I got 0.032 days but this does not seem to be a reasonable value. Besides the equation is 1/synodic period, so I was assuming 1/0.032 =31.25 days
 

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