Path of Mars in 2003

During the second half of 2003, Mars will move across the constellations Capricon and Aquarius. Mars's motion will be direct (from west to east) most of the time but will be retrograde (east to west) during August and September. Notice that the speed with which Mars moves relative to the stars is not constant.

From July 2005 through February 2006, Mars will move across the constellations Pisces, Aries, and Taurus. Mars's motion will be direct (from west to east, or from right to left in this animation) most of the time but will be retrograde (from east to west, or from left to right in this animation) during October and November 2005. Again, notice that the speed of Mars relative to the stars is not constant: The planet moves faster and travels farther from August 1 to September 1 than is does from September 1 to October 1.