gstormcrow80 t1_j7bp6fn wrote
Reply to comment by bobjkelly in Is the yearly cycle of varying daylight durations from day to day throughout time consistent? Is the cycle we have today the same as in the 17th century? by meellowstar
The ‘wobble’ you mentioned is the answer I came here looking for.
The earth rotates like a spinning top, and the axial precession is on a 26,000 year cycle. The most noticeable effect is a change in the position of stars year to year, and it will eventually cause Polaris to be replaced as the ‘north star’ in another 3,200 years. Changes in day length are negligible, but present.
Humans have been aware of it and attempts to precisely measure and define it go back more than 2,000 years. The ancient Greek and Indian (ACTUAL Indian, not Native American) cultures both recorded attempts to define it.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments