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Both models explain it simply, and even a simple model with circular orbits explains it easily. Normally, as the planets rotate round the Sun, they appear to move along the ecliptic from west to east. But in the short period around opposition, when the planets are opposite the Sun in our sky, and we are closest to them, they appear to move east to west because they are going round more slowly than us - we are overtaking them. That is retrograde motion.

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Why did Eudoxus create his solar system to explain what phenomenon?

retrograde motion


How did Nickolaus Copernicus account for the retrograde motion of the planets?

The retrograde motion of the planets is well modelled by both the Ptolemaic system and the Copernican system, and by the other models. But the Copernican system explains it more simply because, for example, Mars's retrograde motion is caused simply when Mars is overtaken by the Earth, which goes more quickly round the Sun. Thus an observer on the Earth sees Mars appearing to go 'backwards' on the ecliptic around the time of closest approach (opposition). This can be easily demonstrated by assuming simple circular orbits.


The apparent westward movement of a planet is known as?

The apparent westward movement of a planet is known as retrograde motion. This phenomenon occurs when a superior planet passes Earth in its orbit, making it appear to move backward in the sky relative to the stars.


How did Copernicus explain the retrograde motions of the planets?

All the models explain retrograde motion because it is such an obvious phenomenon. In Copernicus's model an outer planet goes into retrograde motion when the inner planet overtakes it so that it appears from the inner planet to be going backwards along the ecliptic.


The observed retrograde motion of planets led ptolemy to add blank to Aristotles system?

The observed retrograde motion of planets led Ptolemy to add epicycles to Aristotle's system. Epicycles were small circles that planets moved in on their larger circular orbits around Earth in order to explain the appearances of retrograde motion.

Related Questions

Why did Eudoxus create his solar system to explain what phenomenon?

retrograde motion


Describe what produces the retrograde motion of mars. what geometric arrangement did Ptolemy use to explain this motion?

Earths faster motion makes Mars appear to be going backwards, the backwards motion, in fact, is what caused retrograde motion. --Ptloemy used Epicycles to explain how geocentrical models worked.


How did Nickolaus Copernicus account for the retrograde motion of the planets?

The retrograde motion of the planets is well modelled by both the Ptolemaic system and the Copernican system, and by the other models. But the Copernican system explains it more simply because, for example, Mars's retrograde motion is caused simply when Mars is overtaken by the Earth, which goes more quickly round the Sun. Thus an observer on the Earth sees Mars appearing to go 'backwards' on the ecliptic around the time of closest approach (opposition). This can be easily demonstrated by assuming simple circular orbits.


What planet was used to explain retrograde motion?

Retrograde motion is motion in the opposite direction. In the case of celestial bodies, such motion may be real, defined by the inherent rotation or orbit of the body, or apparent, as seen in the skies from Earth.


The apparent westward movement of a planet is known as?

The apparent westward movement of a planet is known as retrograde motion. This phenomenon occurs when a superior planet passes Earth in its orbit, making it appear to move backward in the sky relative to the stars.


How did Copernicus explain the retrograde motions of the planets?

All the models explain retrograde motion because it is such an obvious phenomenon. In Copernicus's model an outer planet goes into retrograde motion when the inner planet overtakes it so that it appears from the inner planet to be going backwards along the ecliptic.


Why was retrograde motion important in astronomy?

Retrograde motion important in astronomy because it helped to explain that the planets revolved around the Sun. Retrograde motion is the ability of some objects to rotate in a direction that is opposite what is expected.


Who used 80 wheels within wheels to explain the retrograde motion of the 5 visible planets?

KEPLER


The observed retrograde motion of planets led ptolemy to add blank to Aristotles system?

The observed retrograde motion of planets led Ptolemy to add epicycles to Aristotle's system. Epicycles were small circles that planets moved in on their larger circular orbits around Earth in order to explain the appearances of retrograde motion.


Was retrograde motion a theory?

Retrograde motion describes something by definition. It is not and has never been a theory.


Purpose of using epicycles and deferents to explain the motion of the planets in the night sky was to account?

Epicycles and deferents were used in early models of the universe to accurately predict the positions of planets in the sky without fully understanding the heliocentric model. They were an attempt to explain the apparent retrograde motion of planets without the advanced knowledge of elliptical orbits.


What is the difference between prograde and retrograde?

Prograde motion is a counter-clockwise motion or west to east, retrograde motion is clockwise motion or east to west.