This drawing illustrates "eccentricity".
Click on image for full size
Martian Orbit affects Climate
This drawing illustrates the large excursions in standard distance from the sun possible over the course of a Martian year. (The drawing slightly exaggerates the size scales).
If conditions are just right, there are times when Mars can experience a great deal more warming than normal.
Earth does not have the same potential for the climate extremes possible for Mars.
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