wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

Which are the two planets which rotate from east to west?

Open in App
Solution

Every planet in our solar system except for Venus and Uranus rotates counter-clockwise as seen from above the North Pole; that is to say, from west to east. This is the same direction in which all the planets orbit the sun. Uranus was likely hit by a very large planetoid early in its history, causing it to rotate "on its side," 90 degrees away from its orbital motion. Venus rotates backwards compared to the other planets, also likely due to an early asteroid hit which disturbed its original rotation.

flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
8
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Mars
PHYSICS
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon