Why Mercury Goes Into Retrograde

What is Mercury in Retrograde? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice break down what it means for a planet to be “in retrograde” and whether astrology has any impact on our lives.

What did pre-scientific people think of Mercury in retrograde? We explore the rotation of planets around the sun and how often planets go retrograde. Does every planet go into retrograde from our point of view? Could we someday watch Earth go into retrograde from a colony on Mars?

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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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00:00 - Introduction: Mercury in Retrograde
00:25 - Earth as the Center of Motion
2:33 - Orbiting Around The Sun
4:05 - Do All Planets Go Into Retrograde?
5:42 - Watching Earth From Mars
6:13 - Thoughts on Astrology

[StarTalk]

Have you blamed Mercury Retrograde for anything today?

[thereadersvoice]

I really like this new format! The small room, the carpeting, the two easy chairs, a fireplace and an end table, ... it all looks and feels personable, even cozy. Like we're just hanging out with a really smart guy and a really funny guy for a couple late-night drinks! Please keep this, @StarTalk! 😁🖖

[MrBitterman]

Been in love with StarTalk for a loooong time. I'm a sound mixer in post, so let me express how much I value the production level of this piece - lighting, stage, picture quality and most importantly (for me anyway) - the quality of sound. Don't underestimate the power of doing it right!🙂 Thank you.

[mirjanakatalina]

I love that you are back in the studio together!!! My favorite show !!! Thank you guys for everything that you do🥰❤

[NineAtoms]

Nice to see these two in the same room again for these explainers.

[greendragonreprised]

I'm so used to seeing you on Xoom calls or whatever you use it was a pleasant surprise to see you both together. Keep up the good work. The world needs more smart people.

[taylorharrison]

This is the first star talk I’ve watched all the way through without restarting because something confused me. 😂 I love this format with facts and comedic relief. Teach us millennials more!

[DragonSageKaimus]

This is a good star talk.
4:58😂 this laugh helped Neil relase some disappointment for when people don't get the science right.

For those who want to honour old ways, retrograde generally is a reflection period... so retrograde psychologically makes us rethink things about ourselves... it's like that day you feel you can do things differently for a change, then you can either fall back to your old way or enter the same way with new ways of thinking.

[A-Wreck]

Hahaha this intro got me immediately 😂 Love this topic, keep them coming!

[seraph]

One of the most important shows today for me, you all keep me humble and are ever expanding my knowledge and consciousness. Thank you lads!!! ❤️🤙🙇🏻

[albertoborboncastro]

As the year comes to an end (on our arbitrary man made calendar at least), it just seems appropriate to express my gratitude to both of you, Neil and Chuck, for all the teachings and laughs you have provided to us your followers during 2023. Your work truly means a lot for me and I bet for many of us. Thank you, Merry Christmas and an excellent New Year for both of you and everyone at the StarTalk production team!

[aaronrdaniels]

YESS im happy for the better audio quality with these in person shows

[bipolarminddroppings]

Must be so nice to actually be in the room together, especially for Chuck, comedy is when you're in a room alone.

[The_Nonchalant_Shallot]

"Chuck.... Mercury is... In retrograde..."
Chuck: "Pterodactyl noises"

I needed that today. Thank you.

[KiwiMaker]

So good to see you guys back in the same room together! Loving all these videos, I'm starting to remember some of the information.

[santiagovinueza]

It makes me really happy to see you both together in the same room again!!

[joanfregapane]

How great to see these two gentlemen actually in the same room! Love Star Talk!

[saintdoot]

This was great! Glad to see the duo back in action after corona.

[BenjySparky]

Neil and Chuck, y'all rock! Love the new room. Peace

[jucxox]

6:22 “….here’s what I need to know.. what does that mean for Sagittarius? Cause I’m a Sag!” Is the most Sag thing ever and was exactly what my Sag brain was thinking. 😂😂 Thank you, Chuck for always asking the most important questions and happy birth month my Sag brothers and sisters!❤ ♐️