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A Single Impact on Mars Caused Over Two Billion Secondary Craters
One Impact on Mars Produced More than Two Billion Secondary Craters
When we think of craters, we often imagine the moon or Mars – celestial bodies marked with scars left by impacting asteroids. These impact craters tell a story of the violent history of our solar system, where giant space rocks hurtle through space, colliding with planets and moons, leaving behind visible reminders of their visits. But what if I told you that a single impact on Mars produced over two billion secondary craters spread across the planet?
This remarkable discovery comes from a recent study focusing on a crater called Corinto, located in Elysium Planitia, Mars. Scientists believe that the impact that formed this crater happened approximately 2.34 million years ago, making it one of the youngest craters on the red planet. Despite its age, Corinto boasts an extensive “ray system” – a network of smaller craters created by the ejecta from the main impact event.
The Corinto crater, measuring about 14 km in diameter and 1 km in depth, stands out not just for its size but also for the intricate pattern of secondary craters within its interior bowl. These smaller craters, created by the material ejected during the impact, provide valuable insight into the geology and history of Mars. By analyzing the characteristics of these secondary craters, scientists were able to trace the path of the ejecta and determine the direction of the impacting object.
What sets Corinto apart is the sheer number and distribution of its secondary craters. The study revealed close to two billion secondary impact craters larger than 10 meters, with some craters located up to 1850 km away from the main site. This makes Corinto one of the most impactful craters on Mars in terms of the extensive reach of its ejecta field.
Using data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, scientists classified the secondary craters into different “facies” based on their distance from the main crater. Each facies exhibits distinct characteristics, shedding light on the dynamics of the impact event and the nature of the surrounding terrain. From the semi-circular craters closest to the impact site to the elongated, bright craters further away, the diversity of these secondary features paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of a cosmic collision.
While the study didn’t delve into the implications of this finding for our understanding of Mars’ geology, it certainly opens up new avenues for future research. The intriguing nature of Corinto and its vast array of secondary craters will likely spur further investigations into the processes that shape the Martian surface and the role of impact events in shaping planetary landscapes.
As we continue to unravel the mysteries of our neighboring planet, discoveries like the one at Corinto serve as a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the solar system. Each crater tells a story, a tale of cosmic forces at work, leaving their mark on worlds far beyond our own.
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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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