Earth’s Eccentricity cycles

In the previous chapters we have shown Earth is orbiting CENTER in a Clock Wise direction in 23,520 years. The HELION POINT orbits CENTER in a Counter Clock Wise direction in 101,920 years. They meet each other every 19,110 years.

So to already explain the quite simple concept why the eccentricity of the Sun-Earth distance changes: Because of the motion of Earth and the HELION POINT in opposite direction BOTH around the same CENTER, the distance from Earth to the HELION POINT changes and therefore the eccentricity of Sun-Earth distance changes in a cycle of 19,110 years.

We have already calculated in chapter 2 the distance of Earth to CENTER to be 408,251.25 km (to explain ~9.13ms per rotation/ ~3.34 seconds a year can become ~1,224.5 seconds in a year).

We didn’t calculate the distance from the HELION POINT to CENTER yet.

Let’s focus on the answers in this section.

1. What is the current orbital eccentricity value?

   The Sun has a J2000 eccentricity value of 0.01671022 AU compared to Earth according to this NASA website (opens in a new tab). So in year 2000 AD the HELION POINT was at a distance of 2,499,813.33 km (149,597,870.698828 km * 0.01671022) compared to Earth. I have however taken the formula value 0.0167089 AU as described in Eccentricity time series, Nautical Almanac, 1974, page 98 (opens in a new tab) in the 3D model to compare the effects on longer term (see also excel sheet chapter 5).

2. What is the eccentricity cycle?

   There are a number of graphs available on the internet showing how the eccentricity moves across time. See e.g. this graph on the Wikipedia page (opens in a new tab)

   In the previous chapter I have also added below graph coming from this paper (opens in a new tab)

   

   So at least to confirm: we KNOW the value of the eccentricity is currently decreasing in time. However according to the heliocentric model it will decrease to ~0 by year ~27,000 AD. I do not think that is correct. Let me explain.

   Initially my reasoning was to model the heliocentric theory on Eccentricity in the 3D dummy universe model. So with cycles of ~100k and 405K according to the Milankovitch cycles (opens in a new tab). I explored a lot of options but was unable to fit it in. The model would just be unstable if you include such a pattern which in my view is not needed at all.

   The heliocentric model value doesn’t take into consideration the eccentricity will increase again in time because Earth and the HELION POINT are moving away from each other again by year 10,801 AD.

   It is actually quite simple: Because of the motion of Earth and the HELION POINT in opposite direction BOTH around the same CENTER, the distance from Earth to the HELION POINT changes and therefore the eccentricity of Sun-Earth distance changes in a cycle of 19,110 years.

3. What is the MEAN distance from the HELION POINT to CENTER?

   We can’t calculate this value directly based upon data available, but we can derive it by adding the proper numbers into the 3D dummy universe model because we know these three elements:

   1. The minimum eccentricity value was reached on 8309 BC when perihelion was aligned with the summer solstice.

   2. The maximum eccentricity value was reached on 1246 AD when perihelion was aligned with the winter solstice.

   3. The currently experienced eccentricity is a value between the max eccentricity and min eccentricity values and since it is decreasing, the MEAN value needs to be below 0.0167089 AU.

   You can use these three elements to fill in values in the 3D dummy universe model and you will come to a MEAN distance of 0.01404962 AU which is 2,101,793.24 km.

   Since we already have an AU unit, I propose to add 2 new types of units to make it a bit clearer:

   EU = Earth Unit = New term which defines the average Earth-CENTER distance = 408,251.25 km which is the distance of CENTER to Earth. 408,251.25 km * 366.256363098868 = 149,597,870.698828 km. CENTER is however beneath the ecliptic cycle. Let’s call this distance Earth Unit. See also chapter “what are we orbiting”.

   SU = Sun Unit = New term which defines the average HELION POINT-CENTER distance = 2,101,793.24 km which is the distance of CENTER to HELION POINT.

   The eccentricity has a cycle similar as the Apsidal Precession Cycle (APC): 19,110 years. The maximum eccentricity in this APC period is 2,101,793.24 km (SU) + 408,251.25 (EU) = 2,510,244.49 km which is ~0.01677891 AU. The minimum eccentricity in this APC period is 2,101,793.24 km (SU) - 408,251.25 km (EU) = 1,693,341.98 km which is ~0.01132033 AU.

4. Visualize the Eccentricity cycle

   The first picture I have found on the internet which describes the eccentricity values across time according to the heliocentric model.

   Again to remind: These are theoretically models and not measured (apart from the small period from 1,500 AD to the current era).

   

   I have modified the picture with values as presented in this chapter to visualize the eccentricity movement. You can also have a look at the 3D dummy universe model and you should see the same behaviour.

   

Let’s look at the slowing down of Earth’s rotation (ΔT) in the next chapter.