Question

Drew notices a star that seems to move differently than others. Why might Drew's star be moving differently?

A. The star is further away than other stars.
B. The star is really a planet.
C. The star is really the Moon.
D. The star is bigger than other stars

Answer 1

Drew is likely observing a planet, not a star, since planets appear to move independently from the fixed positions of stars, following paths near the ecliptic.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Drew notices a star that seems to move differently than others, one possible explanation is that what Drew is observing is not actually a star, but a planet. Unlike stars, which maintain fixed positions relative to each other and form constellations, planets have independent movements and tend to wander across the night sky, following paths close to the ecliptic. This phenomenon where planets seem to move independently of the fixed stars was first noted by the ancients and led to the objects being described as wanderers, which is actually the meaning of the word 'planet' in ancient Greek. So, the correct answer to why Drew's star may be moving differently is option B: The star is really a planet.