What is the apparent motion of planets called when they seem to move backwards with respect to the stars?

The term used to describe the apparent motion of planets when they seem to move backwards with respect to the stars is "apparent retrograde motion." This phenomenon occurs due to the relative positions and movements of Earth and the other planets within the solar system. When Earth moves past an outer planet, such as Mars, the planet appears to move in the opposite direction against the background of distant stars for a period of time. This effect creates the illusion that the planet is moving backward in its orbit, which is why it is labeled as "apparent" retrograde motion. Understanding this concept is crucial in the study of planetary motion and the heliocentric model of the solar system, as it illustrates the complexities of celestial mechanics without implying any actual reversal of the planets’ motion in their orbits.