A vector is a mathematical construct that has magnitude and direction. The cross product of two vectors is a binary operation in three-dimensional space that results in a third vector that is ...
In the present situation, both Earth and Mars are moving in the same direction around the Sun, but the slower one, Mars, appears to move backwards compared to the faster one, Earth. Just an illusion. The retrograde motion of Mars â like the apparent motion of the slower car on the highway â is nothing more than an illusion.
Mars may look hot, but donÊ¼t let its color fool you. Mars is actually pretty cold! In orbit, Mars is about 50 million miles farther away from the Sun than Earth! That means it gets a lot less light and heat to keep it warm. Mars also has a hard time holding onto the heat it does get. On Earth, much of the sunÊ¼s heat gets trapped in our atmosphere, which acts like a blanket to keep our planet warm. But MarsÊ¼ atmosphere is about 100 times thinner than EarthÊ¼s - - so heat from the sun can easily escape.