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synodal

synodal

9.9
About the time a moon or planet takes to return to the same position
  • adjective
  • /sɪˈnoʊdəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sinodal
  • The synodal month is the time it takes for the moon to return to the same phase.

Examples

  • The synodal cycle of Venus helps astronomers predict its appearances in the night sky.

  • Scientists use synodal periods to calculate the timing of eclipses and planetary alignments.

  • The synodal cycle of the moon is fascinating.

  • Astronomers study the synodal phases of celestial bodies.

  • The synodal month is calculated based on the moon's phases as it aligns with the sun.

  • Astronomers track the synodal periods to determine the best time for observing celestial events.

  • Understanding the synodal cycle of Mars helps scientists anticipate its visibility from Earth.

Synonyms

synodical
vssynodal
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to the time between similar positions of the Moon and planets

is about the period between successive alignments rather than measurement phrasing
synodic
vssynodal
  • Specialized
9.9

The time between two similar phases of a moon or planet as seen from Earth

focuses on alignments of bodies rather than repeating phases

Surface Forms

synodal positive

Morphology

synodal = synod (opaque) = synod + al

This astronomical sense is specialized and not meaningfully recoverable from the modern English noun 'synod' for most learners.

Etymology

Synodal in astronomy comes from the same roots syn- 'together' and hodos 'way', with the idea of a 'meeting' of bodies like the moon and the sun. So synodal describes the time between one such meeting and the next, for example the synodal month when the moon returns to the same phase.