Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Is it getting cold in here?

What causes ice-ages?

... There are three major components of the Earth's orbit about the sun that contribute to changes in our climate. First, the Earth's spin on its axis is wobbly, much like a spinning top that starts to wobble after it slows down. This wobble amounts to a variation of up to 23.5 degrees to either side of the axis. The amount of tilt in the Earth's rotation affects the amount of sunlight striking the different parts of the globe. The greater the tilt, the stronger the difference in seasons (i.e., more tilt equals sharper differences between summer and winter temperatures). The range of motion in the tilt (from left-of-center to right-of-center and back again) takes place over a period of 41,000 years. As a result of a wobble in the Earth's spin, the position of the Earth on its elliptical path changes, relative to the time of year. This phenomenon is called the precession of equinoxes. The cycle of equinox precession takes 23,000 years to complete.
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Read more at this excellent one page explanation.

7 comments:

TJandTheBear said...

http://www.bondbuyer.com/issues/121_227/california-general-obligation-bond-yields-tighten-against-muni-debt-1046217-1.html

Rob Dawg said...

CA GO bonds have a supposed massive new cash flow source; the "temporary" 1/4th cent sales tax increase approved via Prop 30. Stupid bond investors. I've seen the new revenue spent 3 times over by Sacramento.

Son of Brock Landers said...

After what JP Morgan just did with the NJ bond issue, do you think another TBTF bank would support a CA bond issuance just for the political leverage it could give the bank?

Rob Dawg said...

Interesting test of leverage SoBL. CalPERS is the 800lb gorilla and might threaten to change seats. CA does not deserve its current rating never mind an upgrade. I'm pretty sure CA is a donor state to the TBTF cause so there is no need to curry favor.

TJandTheBear said...

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSm1bQdGYMACr82WdePSLsuXVRRV0blFlEUzEkyJugCuS23MrSufQ

Cinco-X said...

"TJandTheBear said...

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSm1bQdGYMACr82WdePSLsuXVRRV0blFlEUzEkyJugCuS23MrSufQ"


That's a mouthful...

Rob Dawg said...

That's a mouthful...

Two.