When a planet appears to move in a "zig-zag" loop on the sky, it is called:?

Question

Piper Cain

Geography

13 October, 02:30

When a planet appears to move in a "zig-zag" loop on the sky, it is called:?

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Ortiz · Answer 1

Answer is Retrograde motion

Most of the time planet moves in expected path near the ecliptic which is east to west. Some times each planet turns around and moves to the east for a period of time, then it turns around to head in west direction again making a loop or zig-zag against the star background. This is called retrograde motion. Thus retrograde motion is the change of direction of the planets in loop.