Milankovich cycle

Front

What is the Milankovitch cycle?

Back

The Milankovitch cycle refers to the long-term variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt that affect climate patterns, particularly the timing of ice ages.

Front

How often do significant ice ages occur according to Milankovic's calculations?

Back

Every 41,000 years.

Front

Which factors are involved in the Milankovitch cycles?

Back

Axial tilt, eccentricity, and axial precession are involved; ocean currents are not.

Front

What is axial tilt?

Back

Axial tilt is the angle between an object's rotational axis and its orbital axis, affecting seasonal climate.

Front

What is eccentricity in the context of Milankovitch cycles?

Back

Eccentricity refers to the shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun, which changes from more circular to more elliptical over cycles of about 100,000 years.

Front

What is axial precession?

Back

Axial precession is the gradual shift in the orientation of Earth's rotational axis, affecting climate over a cycle of about 26,000 years.

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Who was Milutin Milankovic?

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Milutin Milankovic was a Serbian mathematician and astronomer who developed the theory explaining the relationship between Earth's orbital changes and ice ages.

Front

What is albedo?

Back

Albedo is the measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface; higher albedo means more sunlight is reflected, which can cool the planet.

Front

How does albedo affect climate?

Back

Albedo can cool the planet by reflecting sunlight, reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the Earth's surface.

Front

What is the relationship between eccentricity and seasonal climate?

Back

Eccentricity affects the length and intensity of seasons; a more elliptical orbit can lead to longer summers and shorter winters.