The Metonic cycle or enneadecaeteris (from Ancient Greek: ἐννεακαιδεκαετηρίς, from ἐννεακαίδεκα, "nineteen") is a period of almost exactly what after which the lunar phases recur at the same time of the year?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 19 years
- Step 1: The Metonic cycle or enneadecaeteris (from Ancient Greek: ἐννεακαιδεκαετηρίς, from ἐννεακαίδεκα, "nineteen") is a period of almost exactly 19 years after which the lunar phases recur at the same time of the year. Answer: 19 years. Why not the others: "7 years" is the biblical sabbatical cycle with no astronomical correspondence to lunar-solar reconciliation; "12 years" corresponds to the orbital period of Jupiter around the sun rather than the Metonic lunar cycle; "28 years" is the solar cycle in the Julian calendar after which dates fall on the same days of the week.
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