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Expert: - 4/6/2009


Question
what is real motion?
what is apparent motion?

Answer
Melinda,

Apparent motion is also called "improper motion."  It refers to any movement which a heavenly object might APPEAR to be engaged in, which is really just an optical illusion caused by the motion of the Earth, as we rotate around our axis, and as we revolve around the sun.

Real motion is not really a term that you hear very much in astronomy.  Are you thinking of "proper motion?"  I don't want to tell you anything that will steer you down the wrong path.  Look at this article about proper motion, and see if it sounds like what you're looking for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proper_motion

I hope this gets you started.  Keep Looking Up,
-Ed

Astronomy

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Ed

Expertise

I am not a professional astronomer by any means, but astronomy has been an interest of mine since childhood, and I am well-informed on the subject. If unable to answer someone`s question personally, I will know how to quickly find the answer online, because I keep myself informed about developments in the field and I know where to look for information.

Experience

I worked in an observatory for awhile at one point, doing various interesting things with a computer.

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