A

David

Darling

conjunction

opposition and conjunction

An inferior planet (one whose orbit is within that of Earth, i.e. Mercury or Venus) is in inferior conjunction when it is directly between Earth and the Sun. It is in superior conjunction when it is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. A superior planet (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune) is in conjunction when it is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. A superior planet cannot have an inferior conjunction. When Earth is at inferior conjunction with respect to a superior planet that planet is in opposition from Earth's perspective.