In the Greek planetary model, the deferent is the
A) part of the planet's orbit when it appears to move "backward" (i.e., westward) in the sky.
B) off-center point in the planetary system occupied by Earth.
C) small circle about which the planet moves as the center of the circle orbits Earth.
D) circle about which each planet's epicycle center moves.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The deferent in the Greek planetary model is the circle about which each planet's epicycle center moves. This concept was part of the geocentric model, where planets were thought to move in small circles (epicycles) that in turn moved around larger circles (deferents) with Earth at or near the center.

In the Greek Planetary Model, the Deferent Is the