1. Consist of three orbital parameters
Senior Project - Computer Science – 2005 Simulating Milankovitch Cycles Derek Fox Advisor: Prof. Hemmendinger Client: Prof. Hollocher (Geology)
Milankovitch Cycles
Consist of three orbital parameters
Eccentricity of orbit
Obliquity of axis
Precession
How Milankovitch Cycles Affect Climate
They determine the amount of solar insolation that reaches the latitudes of the Earth at a given time of year
The cycles have been correlated to the advance and retreat of glaciers during ice ages
This was verified in 1976 through the study of deep sea sediment cores that dated back 450,000 years.
Three different Equations are used
One for the latitudes where there is a sunrise and sunset
Another for when there is no sunset (Arctic summer)
A third for when there is no sunrise (Arctic winter)
My Program
Uses Milankovitch mathematics to visually simulate how solar insolation varies as the three cycles change
Has graphs that show the insolation change for specific latitudes over time
Has a model of the earth showing the insolation change at all latitude.
Design
Uses java for broad compatibility among different platforms
Convenient for publishing to the web
On the web at: