What happens during the apparent retrograde motion of a planet?
A)The planet rises in the west and sets in the east.
B)The planet appears to move westward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights.
C)The planet moves backward through the sky over the course of a night.
D)The planet moves backward in its orbit around the Sun.
E)The planet moves through constellations that are not part of the zodiac.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the apparent retrograde motion of a planet, the planet appears to move westward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights. This happens because of the difference in orbital speeds between the planet and Earth as they both orbit the Sun.

What Happens During the Apparent Retrograde Motion of a Planet