Science of Mars’ Retrograde | January 9 - January 15
Season 46 Episode 2 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Star Gazers STGZ246 Jan 9-15, 2023 “Science of Mars’ Retrograde”
Star Gazers STGZ246 Jan 9-15, 2023 “Science of Mars’ Retrograde”
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Star Gazers is presented by your local public television station.
Funding provided by The Batchelor Foundation and The William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation
Science of Mars’ Retrograde | January 9 - January 15
Season 46 Episode 2 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Star Gazers STGZ246 Jan 9-15, 2023 “Science of Mars’ Retrograde”
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipGREETINGS MARS MARVELLERS!
AT THE END OF THIS WEEK, MARS IS ENDING RETROGRADE MOTION IN A COSMIC BACK-PEDAL.
THIS HAD ASTRONOMERS SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS FOR CENTURIES, BUT NOW WE CAN SEE WHAT S REALLY HAPPENING.
LEMME SHOW YOU!
HIT THE DARKNESS ANY NIGHT THIS WEEK AFTER SUNSET.
MARS IS IN THE EAST, AND ON JANUARY 12TH IT WILL APPEAR TO STOP, AND HEAD BACK THE WAY IT CAME ENDING RETROGRADE MOTION.
MARS SWITCHES EVERY 26 MONTHS AS IT S IN A WIDER, SLOWER ORBIT THAN EARTH.
BASICALLY, WE PASS IT IN THE SKY.
JUST LIKE PASSING A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, MARS APPEARS TO SLOW RELATIVE TO THE BACKGROUND THEN REVERSE AS WE PASS.
OBSERVERS ON VENUS OR MERCURY WOULD SEE RETROGRADE EARTH ORBITS!
COOL!
BEFORE PLANETARY MOTION WAS UNDERSTOOD, PEOPLE THOUGHT WHENEVER MARS BEGAN MOVING BACKWARDS, WAR, PESTILENCE AND DEATH WERE NOT FAR BEHIND BUT THIS IS THE END OF THAT MOTION SO THE OPPOSITE, I GUESS?
KEEP LOOKING UP!
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Star Gazers is presented by your local public television station.
Funding provided by The Batchelor Foundation and The William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation