Orbital Changes Affect Temperature

Small changes in Earth’s orbit around the sun affect the amount and distribution of solar energy striking the planet.

The sun and Earth with Earth's orbit labeled Eccentricity, axis of rotation with 22.1 to 24.5 degrees of tilt labeled Obliquity, and a counterclockwise arrow indicating direction of rotation labeled Precession.
Orbital factors affecting Earth's temperature. Eccentricity: The shape of Earth's orbit around the sun is variable. Precession: The orientation of Earth's rotational axis relative to the sun is variable. Obliquity: The tilt of Earth's rotational axis is variable.