Precession of Earth's axis of rotation is caused by
A) changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Moon.
B) the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the equatorial bulge of Earth.
C) changes in the rate of rotation (length of the day) of Earth caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the Moon.
D) changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The precession of Earth's axis of rotation is primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's equatorial bulge. This gravitational interaction results in a slow, conical motion of Earth's rotation axis, which takes approximately 26,000 years to complete one cycle.

Precession of Earth's Axis of Rotation Is Caused by