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The astronomical symbol for opposition is ☍ (U+260D). () Seen from a superior planet, an inferior planet on the opposite side of the Sun is in superior conjunction with the Sun. An inferior conjunction occurs when the two planets align on the same side of the Sun. At inferior conjunction, the superior planet is "in opposition" to the Sun as ...
The word is often used in reference to the Sun, Earth, and either the Moon or a planet, where the latter is in conjunction or opposition. Solar and lunar eclipses occur at times of syzygy, as do transits and occultations. The term is often applied when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction or in opposition . [4]
The principal component of the Solar System is the Sun, a G-type main-sequence star that contains 99.86% of the system's known mass and dominates it gravitationally. [37] The Sun's four largest orbiting bodies, the giant planets, account for 99% of the remaining mass, with Jupiter and Saturn together comprising more than 90%.
The normal hue of the sky during the daytime can vary from a pinkish-red to a yellow-brown “butterscotch” color; however, in the vicinity of the setting or rising sun it is blue. This is the exact opposite of the situation on Earth. [3] On Mars, Rayleigh scattering is usually a very small effect.
However, "retrograde" and "prograde" can also refer to an object other than the primary if so described. The direction of rotation is determined by an inertial frame of reference, such as distant fixed stars. In the Solar System, the orbits around the Sun of all planets and most other objects, except many comets, are prograde.
Kepler's first law placing the Sun at one of the foci of an elliptical orbit Heliocentric coordinate system (r, θ) for ellipse. Also shown are: semi-major axis a , semi-minor axis b and semi-latus rectum p ; center of ellipse and its two foci marked by large dots.
The Alpha Centauri star system is the closest star system to the Sun. List of nearest M-type stars. This is a list of M-type stars ...
Orbit of Mars relative to the orbits of inner Solar System planets Orbit of Mars and other Inner Solar System planets An animation to explain the (apparent) retrograde motion of Mars, using actual 2020 planet positions Mars seen through a 16-inch amateur telescope, at 2020 opposition. Mars has an orbit with a semimajor axis of 1.524 ...