Re: Retrograde Motion - Virtual Particles

["Tom K. McCarthy" <mcca6300@spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov>]

On Tue, 25 Jun 1996, Jim Green wrote:

> Here is the problem:  I see that as my fast car passes a slower car on the
> interstate, the slower car seems to reverse direction just as I pass.  BUT
> that car never seems to reverse again to go forward.
>
> But Mars, etc *do*  -- somebody help me out here!!!!   Please!

In noticing the car move backward. you are viewing the car in relation to 
background, stationary objects, such as street lights.  If you continue 
to watch the car, hopefully while being a passenger!, you will soon 
notice that the car is moving forward in relation the the background.

I hope this helps!  I use the car analogy to explain retrograde motion in 
my astronomy class.


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Tom K. McCarthy   Email:mcca6300@spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov