Is there any cyclical variation in global temperature?

Question

Since the world is so full of global climate experts these days, it ought to be possible to find a reliable (sourced) answer to this question.

If the temperature of the planet (not just the inhabited parts) is taken as a whole (and for argument's sake, exclude all of the earth more than 1 kilometr below the surface/ocean floor since surely it is extremely constant)...

...is there any diurnal variation? or by season? or any cyclic variation defined by the annual orbit or cycles in susnspot activity?

A person might speculate that there _is_ some occasional _episodic_ variation in global temperature, associated with volcanic activity.

But since the energy of the sun on the earth is constant, I imagine that there is no day/night, nor monthly, nor seasonal nor annula variation in _mean_ global temperature.

Thanks in advance for any serious (preferably sourced), scientifically researched answers.

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Answer 1

first, you have to accept the concept of a single temperature for the entire planet, which, if it's even theoretically possible is certainly somewhat difficult to measure... how many and what type of samples would one need to take?

oh, and don't forget the core of the planet... no one's ever been anywhere near it so all we have is guesswork. how do we know it's molten iron? we don't, actually. and given all the other times scientists have been wrong, I'm betting they're wrong this time too.

second, yes, there seems to be a solar-related variation, and also a variation based on the wobble in the earth's axial tilt.

and no, the energy of the sun on the earth is definitely _not_ constant.

here's a wiki entry which is not true peer reviewed but it'll point you in decent directions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milankovitch_cycles

Answer 2

wow thats too smart for me....
But if i read u rite:
these things are for seasons the heat probably moves the ozone move around. Think about it. Heat expands so thus yay!