When to Use Retrograde Motion 3D Explorer - Best Sessions and Limits
The Retrograde Motion 3D Explorer fits classroom demos of apparent retrograde, short curiosity breaks on opposition geometry, and literacy around Mars synodic timing. It is an educational geometry visualization - not an ephemeris - so a few session types need another tool.
A five-minute classroom demo
Open Retrograde Motion 3D Explorer, press Near opposition, leave Sky trail on, and pause when the badge says Retrograde now so students see the loop without a flat textbook figure alone.
Synodic numbers in one panel
Keep the facts table visible while reading about 779.9 d (~26 months) and a typical arc near 72 d.
Sessions it does not fit
These sessions do not fit Retrograde Motion 3D Explorer: any time you need all eight planets, seasonal tilt, or comet tails. Use Solar System 3D Explorer, Seasons Earth 3D Explorer, or Comet Orbit 3D Explorer instead. It also needs WebGL in the browser.
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