Prograde motions

Prograde motion refers to the way planets and moons generally move in the same direction as their star's rotation—meaning they orbit in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above their north pole. Most bodies in our solar system follow this pattern, which results from the way the solar system formed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust. Prograde motion contrasts with retrograde motion, where an object moves opposite to this direction. Understanding prograde motion helps astronomers determine the formation and dynamics of celestial bodies and their interactions within a planetary system.