🔍 Key Concepts

• Conjunction in astronomy describes how celestial bodies line up as seen from a particular observer (here, the Earth) • The difference between inferior and superior planets (relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun) • How the positions of Sun, Earth, and another planet can be arranged in a straight line

💭 Think About

• From the viewpoint of an observer on Earth, what does it mean for a planet to be in conjunction with the Sun? Think about which two bodies are close together in the sky. • How does the term superior modify the word conjunction? Consider whether the planet is farther from or closer to the Sun than Earth is. • Draw the Sun, Earth, and a more distant planet (like Jupiter) on a straight line. In what possible order can they be arranged, and which one would match the word superior?

✅ Before You Answer

• Make sure you focus on the line-up of Sun, Earth, and the planet, not just any two planets • Check whether the definition involves the ecliptic plane or simply a line of sight alignment as seen from Earth • Verify that you are not mixing this up with when the Sun reaches its greatest declination (which is related to seasons, not conjunctions)