From November 9 to November 20, Mercury will be in the so-called retrograde phase – popularly, this time is often associated with equipment breakdowns, quarrels and other troubles. However, as Perm Polytechnic experts explain, in fact this is only a visual effect, with no physical effect on Earth or humans. Gazeta.Ru was informed about this by the press service of the educational institution.
Retrograde motion is an astronomical phenomenon that actually occurs three to four times a year. But that doesn't mean the planet is actually “regressing.”
“When the Earth and Mercury, orbiting the Sun at different speeds, line up, a geometric effect occurs: due to the change in perspective from Earth, Mercury seems to slow down and move in reverse. In fact, it continues to follow its usual path – this is just an optical illusion,” explains astronomy expert at Perm Polytechnic University Evgeny Burmistrov.
This “retrograde motion” lasts about three weeks and can only be seen with regular observations against a background of stars. With the naked eye, we see Mercury as a faint star on the horizon, these shifts are almost impossible to distinguish.
Scientists emphasize that retrograde is not an anomaly but a predictable phase in the planet's motion cycle. And it doesn't have any physical impact on Earth.
Vitaly Maksimenko, associate professor of the Department of General Physics at PNRPU, added: “Mercury's gravitational influence is negligible – its mass is small and its distance is large. The planet's magnetic field is also too weak to influence processes on Earth.”
Retrograde periods do not affect magnetic storms and certainly cannot cause psychological or physiological changes in humans.
“There is no scientific data confirming that the apparent position of Mercury affects the brain, nervous system or emotional state of a person,” Burmistrov clarified.
Why is the myth of “Mercury in retrograde” so persistent? Sociologists explain this for cultural and psychological reasons. This concept appeared in the 18th century, and by the 19th century it was firmly established in treatises and astrological calendars. Today, this effect is supported by social networks, turning an astronomical event into a fashionable occasion for memes and discussions.
Konstantin Antipyev, associate professor of the Department of Sociology and Political Science at PNRPU, notes: “When people encounter failure, it is easier for them to look for external explanations than to understand the real reason – fatigue, stress or accident. Mercury retrograde is a convenient metaphor for this.”
