It is useful to plot the path of Mars taking the earth as fixed. To do this, first draw two arrows, the first is just the same as an arrow from the sun to Mars, but beginning at Earth, the second is just the same as an arrow from Earth to the sun, but beginning at the end of the first arrow.


Thus in an Earth centered view, Mars moves on a little circle the center of which moves on a big circle around the earth.

The result.

Here is drawn by computer, with the point representing Mars moving around a little circle of radius 1.0 AU once per year while the center of the little circle moves around a big circle of radius 1.524 AU once every 1.881 years.

Prediction for what we see.

Mostly Mars should move from west to east across the celestial sphere. (Ie. counter clockwise as seen from the north.)

But when it is closest to us, it should move in the opposite direction. ("retrograde")


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Davison E. Soper, Institute of Theoretical Science, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403 USA soper@bovine.uoregon.edu