Talking About The Earth’S Orbit Around The Sun

ATM 201, Homework #2
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Atm, Homework #2
1 When talking about the Earth’s orbit around the sun, what does “eccentricity” mean? How often do changes in eccentricity occur? How does eccentricity affect the intensity of our planet’s seasons? (10 points)
Eccentricity describes the shape of the earth’s orbit. According to Buis (2020), the earth’s shape is not circular, but, it’s pretty close. Thus, its annual movement around the sun is not always perfectly circular. The variation from circular to almost elliptical shape is caused by the force of gravity from the two most significant planets in the solar system (Jupiter and Saturn). Buis (2020) claims that eccentricity measures how the shape of the earth changes from circular, with the variations affecting the distance between the earth and the sun. The variations in the shape have resulted in different lengths in the earth’s seasons. In this case, the summers in the northern hemisphere are currently 4.5 days longer than winters and springs three days longer than autumns.
2 When talking about the Earth’s orbit around the sun, what does “tilt” (or “obliquity”) mean? How often do changes in tilt/obliquity occur? How does tilt affect the intensity of our planet’s seasons? (10 points)
Obliquity is the angle the earth’s axis is tilted as it circulates the sun to the earth’s orbital plane. The varying angle is the reason the planet has seasons. Its intensity has varied between 22.2 to 24.5 degrees perpendicular to the planet orbital plane (Bius, 2020). According to Bius (2020), greater earth angle leads to extreme seasons because the respective hemispheres get more solar radiation during summer when they are tilted towards the sun and less radiation during winter when tilted away from the sun. In some occasions, larger tilts result to glaciation (the melting and retreat of ice and glaciers)
3 When talking about the Earth’s orbit around the sun, what does “precession” mean? How often do changes in precession occur? How does precession affect the strength of our planet’s seasons? (10 points)
Precession is the direction the earth’s axis is pointed. Buis (2020) claims that the earth wobbles upon its axis during rotation like spinning toy top. This movement is caused by the sun and moon’s gravitational forces. The forces also cause bulging of the earth at the equator, affecting its rotation. The cycle of precession on the axis spans for approximately 25771.5 years, making seasonal contrasts in the hemispheres whereby it is more extreme in one and less intense in the other. Research by Bius (2020) reveals that it occurs during winter in northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere, moderating the northern hemisphere variations while the southern hemisphere summers become hotter.
4 For the Northern Hemisphere, what combinat...