Milankovitch, the father of paleoclimate modelling

Abstract. The origin of the long-term variations of the astronomical elements used by Milankovitch are first described, followed by the value of the astronomical periods. The detailed calculations by Milankovitch of the incoming solar radiation during the astronomical and caloric half-years are summarized, stressing the originality of the caloric ones. The second original contribution of Milankovitch to paleoclimate research was without any doubt his mathematical climate. How this model allowed him to give the caloric summer and winter insolation a climatological meaning is illustrated.