Senior Project - Computer Science

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Senior Project - Computer Science
2005Simulating Milankovitch CyclesDerek
FoxAdvisor Prof. Hemmendinger Client Prof.
Hollocher (Geology)

• Milankovitch Cycles
• Consist of three orbital parameters
• Eccentricity of orbit
• Obliquity of axis
• Precession
• How Milankovitch Cycles Affect Climate
• They determine the amount of solar insolation
  that reaches the latitudes of the Earth at a
  given time of year
• The cycles have been correlated to the advance
  and retreat of glaciers during ice ages
• This was verified in 1976 through the study of
  deep sea sediment cores that dated back 450,000
  years.

Three different Equations are used One for the
latitudes where there is a sunrise and
sunset Another for when there is no sunset
(Arctic summer) A third for when there is no
sunrise (Arctic winter)

• My Program
• Uses Milankovitch mathematics to visually
  simulate how solar insolation varies as the three
  cycles change
• Has graphs that show the insolation change for
  specific latitudes over time
• Has a model of the earth showing the insolation
  change at all latitude.

• Design
• Uses java for broad compatibility among different
  platforms
• Convenient for publishing to the web

On the web at http//antipasto.union.edu/foxd/hw
/project1