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The term "retrograde motion" means that a satellite (moon) moves in the opposite direction from what would be expected or common.
A retrograde orbit is one opposite the rotation of the planet being orbited. This is the case with satellites of Jupiter and Saturn that are likely captured asteroids.
The planet Venus exhibits retrograde rotation because it spins very slowly in a clockwise direction (as seen from above). The dwarf planet Pluto likewise rotates clockwise. All other planets display counter-clockwise rotations, and all planets orbit the Sun counter-clockwise. (The planet Uranus is tilted on its side, and could be considered retrograde as well.)
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What do the planets do to incur retrograde motion?
Retrograde motion occurs when planets appear to move backward in their orbit from our perspective on Earth due to differences in orbital speed. This illusion is caused by Earth overtaking a slower outer planet or being overtaken by a faster inner planet in their respective orbits.
When a planet moves backward through the zodiac what do astrologers refer this as?
When a planet appears to move backward through the zodiac, astrologers refer to this phenomenon as "retrograde." It is an apparent backward motion caused by the differing speeds of the planets as they orbit the Sun. Retrograde periods are believed to signal a time for reflection, reevaluation, and revisiting old issues.
What planets are retrograde?
As of October 2021, the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are retrograde. Retrograde motion is an apparent backward motion of a planet as seen from Earth, and it can affect us by prompting introspection and reevaluation in the areas of life governed by the planet.
How can planet retrograde motion be explained by the Earth-center hypothesis By the Sun-center hypothesis?
The Earth-center hypothesis explains planet retrograde motion as a result of the planets moving at different speeds along their orbits, causing them to appear to move backward against the backdrop of fixed stars. The Sun-center hypothesis explains retrograde motion as an optical illusion caused by the difference in orbital speeds of Earth and other planets, creating the perception of planets moving backward when Earth overtakes them in their orbits. Both hypotheses rely on the relative positions and speeds of the planets in their orbits to account for retrograde motion.
Do inner planets mercury and Venus experience retrograde motion similar to the outer planets?
Yes, both Mercury and Venus can experience retrograde motion. This is a result of their orbits being closer to the Sun than Earth's. When observed from Earth, their apparent motion sometimes appears to be moving backward against the background of stars before resuming its normal direction.
