The terms "inferior planet" and "superior planet" were originally used in the Ptolemaic cosmology to diffrentiate those planets (Mercury and Venus) that were between the the stationary Earth and the orbiting Sun from those planets (Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) which lay beyond the Sun's orbit.
In the 16th century, the terms were modified by Copernicus, who rejected Ptolemy's geocentric model, to distinguish a planet's orbit's size in relation to the Earth's.
"Inferior planet" is used in reference to Mercury and Venus, which are closer to the Sun than the Earth is.
"Superior planet" is used in reference to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and all the known dwarf planets, including Ceres and Pluto, which are farther from the Sun than the Earth is.
The terms are sometimes used more generally: for instance, the Earth is an inferior planet as seen from Mars
2007-03-20 23:20:36
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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inferior planets are the ones between earth and the sun such as mercury and venus, all the other planets are superior from mars out to neptune. hope this helps!!!!!!!
2007-03-19 02:26:53
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answer #2
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answered by Bones 3
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