During the time that a planet is in its period of apparent retrograde motion, .
A)the planet appears to rise in the west and set in the east, rather than the usual rising in the east and setting in the west
B)the planet moves backwards (clockwise as viewed from above Earth's north pole)in its orbit of the Sun
C)over many days or weeks, the planet moves westward relative to the stars, rather than the usual eastward relative to the stars
D)the planet is getting closer to the Sun in its orbit

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the planet's period of apparent retrograde motion, it appears to move westward relative to the stars for many days or weeks, rather than its usual eastward movement. This is an optical illusion caused by Earth's own motion around the Sun.

During the Time That a Planet Is in Its Period