The lunar cycle, also known as a lunation or synodic month, is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases from new Moon to new Moon. On average, this cycle lasts about 29.5 days, specifically 29.53059 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds)

. This duration differs from the Moon's sidereal month, which is about 27.3 days-the time it takes the Moon to orbit Earth relative to distant stars- because the Earth is also moving around the Sun, requiring the Moon to travel a bit further to reach the same phase position relative to the Sun and Earth

. The length of the lunar cycle can vary slightly, from about 29.27 days to 29.83 days, due to the elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit and Earth's orbit around the Sun, as well as the Moon's varying speed in its orbit

. In summary:

• Average lunar cycle (synodic month): ~29.53 days
• Sidereal month (Moon's orbit relative to stars): ~27.3 days
• Variation in cycle length: about 29.27 to 29.83 days depending on orbital factors