At which stage of each of the Milankovitch Cycles are we in right now? Use the common era calendar to calculate when each cycle began? Which of these cycles are currently ending?
This is an excellent question that gets to the heart of how these astronomical cycles work. It's important to understand first that these cycles are continuous and sinusoidal (like smooth, repeating waves), not linear with a definitive "start" and "end" point. Therefore, we talk about our position within each cycle rather than when a cycle "began" or is "ending." Here is the current status of each Milankovitch Cycle, explained using the Common Era (CE) calendar. --- 1. Eccentricity (Orbital Shape) · Cycle Period: ~100,000 years (varying between more circular and more elliptical) · Our Current Stage: We are in a period of low eccentricity, meaning Earth's orbit is nearly circular. · This is a long-term trend. Our orbit has been becoming less elliptical for tens of thousands of years and is currently very close to its most circular state. · Is it ending? No. We are not at a peak or trough that would signify a dramatic "end." We ...
