2006-06-26 10:37:12 · 6 answers · asked by misbah m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
This retrograde "illusion" is based on what we see as stars behind mars. Normally since
everything is moving west to east, we see the planet mars moving westward against the stars.
As we overtake it in our orbit, this westward drift slows as we catch up to mars.
Seems to stop as we start to pass then go backwards and then finally appears to go forward
again. In earth terms, two cars same speed on highway. One behind the other in the next
lane. Both cars going same speed, so the car in front appears to be going forward
(eastward, pretend this is Mars). The car in the rear starts to gain so it seems as the car
in front slows down. (this is measured by the apparent speed of the background bushes and
trees behind the car as you look at it.) As you pass the car, it seems to go backward
against the trees, (since earth is on the inside track around the sun, as we catch up to
mars and both planets are in circle about the sun, it seems like we speed up as we pass).
After we pass and go back to our same speed as the other car, both cars appear to go
forward again.
2006-06-26 17:10:18 · answer #1 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some weeks Mars seems to move 'the wrong direction'. It happens when Mars, Sun and Earth are about on one line in that order. Then Mars seems to be as bright as possible. Half way the 'the wrong direction' there is exactly a straight line. It has been called opposition of Mars.
Jupiter, Saturn and the other outer planets show the same.
2006-06-26 10:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no astrological implications, astrology is crap. Mars' retrograde motion happens when the earth passes mars in its orbit (because earth orbits around the sun faster than mars).
2006-06-26 10:49:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you look at the sky, and you're tracking some celestial object, they will appear to go one way, say, from right to left. If you track Mars though, you will see that it seems to go back, like an "S" - that is retrograde. In reality, Mars travels the same way as other planets, but earth's relative position to it (and you are on earth as the viewer) makes it appear that it is going back.
2006-06-26 10:47:43 · answer #4 · answered by Ninjaso7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prograde_and_retrograde_motion...The planets(wanderers) when seen from the earth appear to wonder in 1 direction then the other direction due to their orbital speeds being different.In astrology(a pseudoscience) I believe it is suppose to effect the amount of influence that planet has.
2006-06-26 10:50:23 · answer #5 · answered by paulofhouston 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's when it spins in the opposite direction that other planets do, i think counter-clockwise, but I'm not sure..
2006-06-26 10:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by Corey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋