Difference Between Solar and Sidereal Day

Positions in the Sky

Equatorial system of location
A coordinate system that divides the celestial sphere
Similar to the latitude-longitude system that is used on Earth’s surface
Two locational components
Declination – the angular distance north or south of the celestial equator
Right ascension – the angular distance measured eastward along the celestial equator from the position of the vernal equinox

Earth Motions

Two primary motions
Rotation
Turning, or spinning, of a body on its axis
Two measurements for rotation
Mean solar day – the time interval from one noon to the next, about 24 hours
Sidereal day – the time it takes for Earth to make one complete rotation (360°) with respect to a star other than the Sun – 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4 seconds