ESS101C
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
How Does Orbit’s Shape Affect Climate
qEarth’s orbit is not a perfect circle: it has a slightly
eccentric or elliptical shape.
qThis noncircular shape is the result of the gravitational
pull on Earth from the Sun, the moon, other planets and their moons.
qThe distance to the Sun changes with Earth’s position
in its orbit.
qThis changing distance has a direct effect on the
amount of solar energy Earth receives.
(from Earth’s Climate: Past and Future)