Milankovitch Cycles Precession and Obliquity
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
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Provided by Khan Academy
What it is
- This Khan Academy video discusses two of the Milankovitch cycles: precession and obliquity.
- These changes in the orbit and spin of the Earth cause natural changes in climate on geologic time scales.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This video will help students understand the wobble, change in orbit, and change in axial tilt associated with natural climate change cycles on Earth.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have a basic understanding of the importance of the Sun for life on Earth, Earth's orbit, and the tilt of the Earth's axis.
Differentiation
- Using a globe and basketball could be useful in demonstrating these changes, especially if you have students help you with the demonstration.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on Earth's seasons, this digital text about the effect of atmospheric circulation on climate, and this video on Earth's rotation and revolution.
From the scientist review
There are three Milankovitch cycles; eccentricity, obliquity, and precession. This video resource explains Earth's tilt, or obliquity, and its precession, which describes Earth's wobble about its axis. These cycles are important for climate change on the order of tens of thousands of years. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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