Abstract
Before the invention of the telescope the only planets known were Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn and their true natures remained unknown since they appeared like stars to the unaided eye. These planets could only be detected by their brightness and their movements relative to the stars. In fact the word planet means ‘wandering star’.
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© 1988 Gerald North
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North, G. (1988). The Inferior Planets. In: Mastering Astronomy. Macmillan Mastering Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-19604-3_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-19604-3_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-45656-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-19604-3
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