Cosmic Illusion: Mars to Move Backward

Optical illusions are characterized by visually perceived images that are deceptive or misleading.

Most people are familiar with optical illusions on earth, including the famous illusion of M.C. Escher's Ascending and Descending, and the Rubin Vase. Space, not to be left out, has a few illusions of its own. One in particular is the period of time where mars appears to reverse its orbit and move backwards. Astronomers attribute this illusion to retrograde motion, but it is none the less a fascinating phenomenon. The 'illusion' will be visible starting November 15, when mars will begin to loop back towards the west. this will continue until the end of January and from then on Mars will loop back to the east. So check it out!