Milankovitch Cycles

Question 1

What is the Range of the Axis Tilt?

Answer 1

22.1-24.5 degrees.

Question 2

What is Obliquity?

Answer 2

Another way of saying “tilt.”

Question 3

What are the Milankovitch Cycles?

Answer 3

Eccentricity, Axial Tilt, and Precession.

Question 4

What is Eccentricity?

Answer 4

The shape of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The shape constantly fluctuates, becoming more or less elliptical on a cycle of about 100,000 years. These oscillations are of prime important in terms of glaciation.

Question 5

What is Axial Tilt?

Answer 5

The second of the Milankovitch Cycles, which is the inclination of the Earth’s axis in relation to its plane of orbit around the Sun. Oscillations between 21.5 and 24.5 degrees occur on a cycle of about 41,000 years.

Question 6

What is Precession?

Answer 6

The final of the Milankovitch Cycles; this discusses the Earth’s slow wobble as it spins on its axis. This top-like wobbling has a cycle of about 23,000 years.