What is lunar day? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of lunar day

lunar daynoun

ngày âm lịch

/ˌluːnə ˈdeɪ//ˌluːnər ˈdeɪ/

Where does the word lunar day come from?

The term "lunar day" or "lunar cycle" refers to the period of time it takes the moon to go through all its phases, from new moon to full moon and back again. This duration is around 29.5 days, which is slightly longer than a calendar month. The word "lunar" derives from the Latin luna, meaning "moon." The term "day" may seem a bit confusing as it suggests a period of daylight, but in this context it refers to the time it takes for the moon's apparent position in the sky to return to its original position. As the moon's orbit is elliptical, the length of each lunar day can vary by a few hours, but on average it lasts approximately 24 hours, 50 minutes, and 29 seconds. Many ancient cultures, including the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, recognized the lunar cycle and used it to determine their agricultural and religious calendars. Even today, some cultural traditions and spiritual practices, such as Wicca and Japanese lunar folklore, still follow lunar cycles. The lunar cycle is also an important concept in applied astronomy, as it helps with spaceflight planning and moon-related research for terrestrial applications.

Example of vocabulary lunar daynamespace

  • The lunar day, also known as a lunar night, begins when the Moon's uppermost limb initially starts to appear above the horizon and ends when it finally sets below it.
  • The duration of a lunar day is about 29.5 earthly days, which is the same as the lunar month.
  • The lunar day exhibits an unusual phenomenon known as lunar twilight, where the sky transitions from complete darkness to daylight and back again.
  • During the daytime portion of a lunar day, the Moon's surface is not visible to the naked eye as it is too bright.
  • Some lunar days experience particularly low light levels, known as solar eclipses, during its daytime phase.

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