The motions of the planets against the background stars in the sky can BEST be described as
A) regular patterns with general eastward motion interrupted by periods of westward motion.
B) regular and uniform eastward motion.
C) general eastward motion but with occasional stationary periods with no motion at all.
D) regular patterns with general westward motion interrupted by periods of eastward motion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The apparent motion of planets against the background stars is generally eastward, but they occasionally appear to move westward, a phenomenon known as retrograde motion. This is due to the relative positions and motions of Earth and the other planets in their orbits around the Sun.

The Motions of the Planets Against the Background Stars in the Sky