Milenkovitch Cycles

Milenkovitch cycles are a series of three astronomical cycles that affect the amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth's surface. These cycles are:

• Eccentricity: The shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun varies from nearly circular to slightly elliptical. This cycle has a period of about 100,000 years.
• Obliquity: The tilt of Earth's axis of rotation varies from about 22 degrees to 24.5 degrees. This cycle has a period of about 41,000 years.
• Precession: The direction of Earth's axis of rotation changes slowly over time, completing a full cycle in about 26,000 years.

These cycles combine to produce variations in the amount of solar radiation that reaches different parts of Earth's surface. These variations can lead to changes in climate, such as ice ages and warm periods.

Milenkovitch cycles are not the only factors that affect climate, but they are thought to be a major contributor to long-term climate change. By understanding these cycles, scientists can better predict how climate will change in the future.