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Galileo's drawings show that he first observed Neptune in 1612, and ag
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09 Jan 2026, 16:03
09 Jan 2026, 16:03
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Question 1
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Question Stats:
40% (00:49) correct
60% (02:57) wrong based on 5 sessions
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Galileo's drawings show that he first observed Neptune in 1612, and again in 1613. On both occasions, Galileo mistook Neptune for a fixed star when it appeared very close-in conjunction-to Jupiter in the night sky; hence, he is not credited with Neptune's discovery.
During the period of his first observation, Neptune was stationary in the sky because it had just turned retrograde that very day (retrograde refers to the apparent backward motion created when the orbit of the Earth takes it past an outer planet). Since Neptune was only beginning its yearly retrograde cycle, the motion of the planet was far too slight to be detected with Galileo's small telescope.
During the period of his first observation, Neptune was stationary in the sky because it had just turned retrograde that very day (retrograde refers to the apparent backward motion created when the orbit of the Earth takes it past an outer planet). Since Neptune was only beginning its yearly retrograde cycle, the motion of the planet was far too slight to be detected with Galileo's small telescope.
According to the passage, all of the following can account for Galileo's inability to identify Neptune as a planet EXCEPT?
◯ The direction in which Neptune rotates
◯ A shift in the orientation between Neptune and the Earth
◯ The almost indiscernible distance between Neptune and Jupiter
◯ The condition of Galileo's instruments
◯ The fact that Neptune's lack of motion suggested another celestial phenomenon
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Re: Galileo's drawings show that he first observed Neptune in 1612, and ag
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15 Jan 2026, 05:00
15 Jan 2026, 05:00
Expert Reply
Answer: (A)
The author never mentions the direction in which Neptune rotates as a factor in Galileo's oversight. It only says "apparent backward motion", which is not the same as actual rotation. Therefore (A) is correct.
(B) is wrong because the author states, "...created when the orbit...past an outer planet."
(C) is incorrect because the passage says, in relation to the two planets that they "appeared very close."
(D) is incorrect because the passage states, "far too slight...Galileo's small telescope."
The author never mentions the direction in which Neptune rotates as a factor in Galileo's oversight. It only says "apparent backward motion", which is not the same as actual rotation. Therefore (A) is correct.
(B) is wrong because the author states, "...created when the orbit...past an outer planet."
(C) is incorrect because the passage says, in relation to the two planets that they "appeared very close."
(D) is incorrect because the passage states, "far too slight...Galileo's small telescope."
gmatclubot
Re: Galileo's drawings show that he first observed Neptune in 1612, and ag [#permalink]
15 Jan 2026, 05:00
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