For the last time would be the phrase
subordinate or dependent clause
This passage contains a compare and contrast organization. The author establishes a comparison between the lunation or synodic month and the sidereal month. In this paragraph it is possible to distinguish the connectors “as” and “however” which are used not only to connect ideas, but also to introduce a comparison between the space processes. In addition, the use of the word “like” is used to make a comparison (“the sun moves eastward on the celestial sphere like the moon but more slowly…”) Finally, it is possible to identify a point by point organization as the writer explains and compare both processes in the same paragraph; for example, it is stated that the lunation or synodic month lasts about 29 ½ days while the sidereal month 27 days 8 hours.
