Changes of astronomical solar radiation energy at different latitudes in the northern hemisphere in Holocene and its climatic significance

Ying JIANG, Zhong LIANG, Jian WANG, ChengHong ZHOU, YuMeng CHEN, YanYan LI

Prog Geophy ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4) : 1463-1472.

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Prog Geophy ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4) : 1463-1472. DOI: 10.6038/pg2026JJ0245

Changes of astronomical solar radiation energy at different latitudes in the northern hemisphere in Holocene and its climatic significance

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Abstract

Previous studies indicate that the amount of astronomical solar radiation received at any location on Earth varies with season and latitude. The distribution of solar radiation across seasons and latitudes serves as a primary driver of climate change, reflecting a functional interplay between time and space. To further investigate this "spatiotemporal functional interplay" and explore the relationship between climate change on sub-orbital and shorter time scales and solar radiation, we calculated annual-resolution sequences of astronomical solar radiation energy at different latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere by integrating seasonal duration and solar radiation intensity. The characteristics of these sequences were analyzed, and the connection between Holocene solar radiation and climate change was examined. The results reveal that: (1) The variation in astronomical solar radiation at the equator and 30°N differs from that at 65°N. At 65°N, the annual trend in radiation energy aligns with that of the summer half-year, both peaking around 9, 000 years ago before gradually declining. In contrast, at 30°N, the annual trend matches that of the winter half-year, with a trough around 9, 000 years ago followed by a gradual increase. The summer half-year trend at this latitude runs counter to both the annual and winter half-year trends. At the equator, radiation energy troughs for the winter half-year, annual, and summer half-year occurred around 9, 000, 7, 500, and 6, 000 years ago, respectively. (2) The variations in astronomical solar radiation exhibit periodicities of 2.7, 3.6~4.5, 8.0~8.8, 14~16, 24~29, 47~52, 130~170, 240~260, and 280~300 years. These cycles coincide with those observed in climate change, suggesting a linkage between astronomical solar radiation fluctuations and Earth's climate variability. (3) At 65°N, 30°N, and the equator, and for both annual and half-year (summer and winter) radiation energy, the amplitude of centennial-scale variations has gradually decreased from 12, 000 years ago to the present. This implies that the greater climate variability in the early Holocene was not solely due to glacial feedback, but may also be associated with the larger amplitude of astronomical solar radiation variations at that time.

Key words

Holocene / Northern hemisphere / Astronomical solar radiation energy / Spatio-temporal change / Climatic significance

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Ying JIANG , Zhong LIANG , Jian WANG , et al . Changes of astronomical solar radiation energy at different latitudes in the northern hemisphere in Holocene and its climatic significance[J]. Progress in Geophysics. 2026, 41(4): 1463-1472 https://doi.org/10.6038/pg2026JJ0245

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