The Milankovitch cycles primarily affect the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth. These cycles involve variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, which influence the distribution and intensity of sunlight received by the planet over long periods of time. The specific aspects of the Milankovitch cycles include:
- Eccentricity: The shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun changes over time, affecting the distance from the Sun and thus the amount of solar energy received.
- Axial tilt: The tilt of Earth's axis varies, influencing the contrast between seasons.
- Precession: The wobble in Earth's rotation affects the timing of the seasons in relation to Earth's position in its orbit.
While they do have indirect effects on the duration and intensity of seasons, the primary factor affected is the overall solar energy received by Earth. The length of a year on Earth and its reflectivity are generally not directly influenced by Milankovitch cycles.
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