Ages

Introduction

Summary

Mars's trajectory seems to periodically go backward. This is called a retrogradation (or retrograde motion). Because the Earth orbits 1.88 times faster than Mars, the relative motion of both explains this phenomenon. Here we are observing in the geocentric frame of reference. See also "Retrograde motion #1" to have the heliocentric point of view, which is the correct one with which to study this phenomenon.

Goals

• To observe the retrograde motion of Mars from a geocentric reference frame.

Features

Click on to stop the motion.

Tags

retrograde motion Mars orbit celestial retrogradation Earth Sun geocentric reference-frame