Inferior and superior planets

Inferior and superior planets

The terms "inferior planet" and "superior planet" were originally used in the Ptolemaic cosmology to differentiate those planets (Mercury and Venus) that were between the stationary Earth and the orbiting Sun from those planets (Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn), which lay beyond the Sun's orbit.

In the 16th century, the terms were modified by Copernicus, who rejected Ptolemy's geocentric model, to distinguish a planet's orbit's size in relation to the Earth's.

*"Inferior planet" is used in reference to Mercury and Venus, which are closer to the Sun than the Earth is.

*"Superior planet" is used in reference to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and all the known minor and dwarf planets, including Ceres and Pluto, which are farther from the Sun than the Earth is.

The terms are sometimes used more generally: for instance, the Earth is an inferior planet as seen from Mars.

This classification should not be confused with the terms inner and outer planet, which designate those planets which lie inside the asteroid belt and those that lie outside it, respectively. "Inferior planet" should also not be confused with the very different minor planet or dwarf planet.


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  • Superior planets — Superior Su*pe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of superus being above, fr. super above, over: cf. F. sup[ e]rieur. See {Super }, and cf. {Supreme}.] 1. More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Superior Planets —    These are planets which have an orbit larger than the Earth s. They are Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. See Inferior Planets, Jovian Planets and Terrestrial Planets …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • Inferior — In*fe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inf[ e]rieur. See {Under}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Inferior court — Inferior In*fe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inf[ e]rieur. See {Under}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Inferior figure — Inferior In*fe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inf[ e]rieur. See {Under}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Inferior letter — Inferior In*fe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inf[ e]rieur. See {Under}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Inferior tide — Inferior In*fe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inf[ e]rieur. See {Under}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Superior — Su*pe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of superus being above, fr. super above, over: cf. F. sup[ e]rieur. See {Super }, and cf. {Supreme}.] 1. More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part of an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Superior conjunction — Superior Su*pe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of superus being above, fr. super above, over: cf. F. sup[ e]rieur. See {Super }, and cf. {Supreme}.] 1. More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Superior figure — Superior Su*pe ri*or, a. [L., compar. of superus being above, fr. super above, over: cf. F. sup[ e]rieur. See {Super }, and cf. {Supreme}.] 1. More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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