Retrograde motion of a planet against the background stars is always
A) apparent motion of the planet away from Earth.
B) movement northward away from the ecliptic plane.
C) movement from west to east.
D) movement from east to west.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Retrograde motion is the apparent movement of a planet from east to west against the background stars, as observed from Earth, which contrasts with the usual west to east motion. This is due to the relative positions and motions of Earth and the planet in their orbits around the Sun.

Retrograde Motion of a Planet Against the Background Stars Is