Final answer:
The three Milankovitch cycles are the eccentricity, obliquity, and precession cycles, each affecting the climate differently.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three Milankovitch cycles are the eccentricity, obliquity, and precession cycles, and each cycle has a different effect on the climate.
- Eccentricity: This cycle refers to the change in Earth's orbital path from more circular to more elliptical. A decrease in eccentricity indicates a more circular orbit, and this can result in a more consistent amount of solar radiation reaching the planet.
- Obliquity: This cycle describes the change in the tilt of Earth's axis. It affects the orientation of the North Star and currently contributes to the variation in the seasons between the northern and southern hemispheres.
- Precession: This cycle refers to the wobble around Earth's axis, which takes nearly 26,000 years. It affects the timing of seasons, causing changes in which time of year the northern hemisphere points toward the sun.