Changing Climate Flashcards
What are sunspots, and what are they caused by?
Dark spots on the sun’s surface, caused by magnetic storms.
How do sunspots affect Earth?
They increase the amount of energy Earth receives from the sun, causing it to warm up.
How long do sunspot cycles last?
11 years.
What is eccentricity?
The shape of the Earth’s orbit.
How long does the eccentricity cycle last?
100,000 years.
What is obliquity?
How tilted Earth is on its axis.
How long do obliquity cycles last, and between what degrees?
40,000 years, between 21.5 and 24.5 degrees.
What is precession?
The amount the Earth wobbles on its axis.
How long do precession cycles last?
23,000 years.
What is the effect of obliquity on Earth’s climate?
With less tilt, our summers are cooler and our winters are milder.
What is the effect of precession on Earth’s climate?
It changes the severity of the seasons, and which hemisphere is closest to the sun at different times.
