WHAT DOES RETROGRADE MEAN?

LIST 3 TYPES OF CYCLES?

WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG

Here's the dictionary definition:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/retrograde

Shareen -- please understand that we are not computer chips or robots. The people who answer questions on this board are real, live human beings who do this in our spare time.

Retrograde refers to the apparent backwards motion of a planet in its orbit as observed from Earth. When a planet is in retrograde, it appears to move in the opposite direction from its usual path across the night sky. This phenomenon occurs because of the differences in Earth's and the planet's orbits around the sun.

The word "retrograde" itself means moving or tending backwards. In astronomy, it specifically refers to the apparent reverse motion of a planet when we observe it from our viewpoint on Earth. However, it is important to note that retrograde motion is only apparent and not actual. Planets do not actually reverse their paths, but due to the varying speeds and distances of their orbits, they seem to move backwards for a period before resuming their regular forward motion.

To determine if a planet is in retrograde, you can observe its motion over time relative to the fixed stars in the night sky. If the planet's position appears to loop or move backwards compared to the previous nights, it is likely in retrograde. Additionally, there are various apps, websites, and astronomy software that provide real-time information about planetary motions, including whether a planet is in retrograde or not.