Planetary Configurations A'K'APositional Astronomy

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Planetary Configurations A.K.APositional
Astronomy

• Solar System Lab Astronomy I - Johnston

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What is it?

• Positional astronomy is the study of the
  positions of celestial objects.
• It is the oldest branch of astronomy and dates
  back to antiquity.
• Observations of celestial objects are/were
  important for religious and astrological
  purposes, as well as for timekeeping.
• The science of actually measuring positions of
  celestial objects in the sky is known as
  astrometry.

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Figure 2.22
Click here for a great website to help answer
your questions!
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Figure 2.24
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Retrograde Motion
This is a diagram of the apparent direct and
retrograde motion of a superior planet. The green
planet is Earth, the red planet is any superior
planet and the yellow curved line is the apparent
path of the planet among the stars. The white
lines are the lines of sight as seen from Earth.
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http//www.jimloy.com/astro/retro.htm

• Click link to see retrograde website