Why is the rotation of Venus called retograde rotation?

Answer 1

Venus, as well as the Earth, has flipped on its axis several times in the past. This was caused when Venus' rotation around the sun encountered the Earth, the last time being approximately five million years ago. Though it now spins backwards, in the beginning of our solar system it spun just like the Earth.

Answer 2

Retrograde motion means that it is rotating backwards relative to the Earth. The Earth rotates from East to West: the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Venus rotates from West to East.

Answer 3

There are several theories about Venus's retrograde rotation. One is that the original clump of matter from the solar nebula, which became Venus, started off with a different rotation period. Perturbations caused by the gravitational effects of other planets and the tidal effects of its very dense atmosphere could, over billions of years, have affected its rotation. Another possible reason is tidal locking with the Sun's gravity.

Answer 4

Venus' rotation is considered retrograde because it rotates in the opposite direction to most other planets in our solar system. Instead of spinning counterclockwise like Earth, Venus rotates clockwise on its axis.

Answer 5

It is thought that a dramatic event during this planet's formation knocked its rotation off.