| Opposition (astronomy) |
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A planet (or Asteroid or Comet ) is said to be "in opposition" when it is in opposition to the Sun as seen from the Earth. This is the best time to observe a planet because:
Opposition only occurs in Superior Planets . The Moon , which orbits the Earth rather than the Sun, is in opposition to the Sun at Full Moon . When it is exact in opposition, a Lunar Eclipse occurs. SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR As seen from a planet that is Superior , if an Inferior planet is on the opposite side of the Sun, it is in superior conjunction with the Sun. An '''inferior conjunction''' occurs when the two planets lie in a Line on the same side of the Sun . In an inferior conjunction, the superior planet is '''"in opposition"''' to the Sun as seen from the inferior planet. SEE ALSO |
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