Mercury Retrograde 2024: Understanding the Celestial Illusion

From August 5 to 27, Mercury appears to move backward in the sky, a phenomenon that has fascinated both astronomers and astrologers for centuries.

Mercury retrograde occurs when the planet appears to move backward due to its orbit relative to Earth's.
Astronomers explain this as an optical illusion caused by the differing speeds of Earth's and Mercury's orbits.
Astrologers believe this period affects communication, technology, and travel, though there's no scientific basis for these claims.
The phenomenon has become a popular topic in modern culture, with increased mentions and memes in recent years.
Historically, the observation of retrograde motion was crucial in developing the heliocentric model of the solar system.