Advances in the Astronomical Theory

Key elements of Milutin Milankovitch's Astronomical Theory of the Ice Ages

1. Quantified variations in the Earth's obliquity, precession and eccentricity.

2. Determined the seasonal and latitudinal distribution of solar radiation
(insolation) on Earth.

3. Argued that obliquity, followed by precession forcing, should dominate the
climate response, with less influence due to eccentricity.

4. Argued that summer insolation at mid-latitudes rather than winter insolation
was the critical forcing for ice sheet growth.

Despite these considerable advances, Milankovitch's theory was not widely accepted in his day. It's major limitation was the lack of a well dated, continuous climate curve to test the hypothesis.