News
Additional Perspectives on the 2024 Eclipse: Views from the Moon and Earth’s Orbit
Just over a week ago, millions of people gathered across North America to witness the awe-inspiring event of a total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024. While the eclipse was a spectacular sight from the ground, it was even more magnificent when viewed from space. Earth-observing satellites such as GOES-16 captured stunning images of the moon’s shadow sweeping over our planet.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) also managed to capture a snapshot of the eclipse from the Moon. Unlike traditional Earth-based photographers, the LROC’s view was challenging to obtain due to the spacecraft’s line scanner cameras. However, in just 20 seconds, the LROC was able to capture the entire eclipse phenomenon.
NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory, located at LaGrange Point 1, provided a unique perspective of the eclipse from Earth orbit, capturing the entire event as it unfolded over the continent.
Eclipse as Experience
For many viewers, witnessing the eclipse meant traveling to various locations along the path of totality to get the best view. This path extended from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico to the northern Canadian provinces, allowing a significant portion of the U.S. to experience totality. Fortunately, the weather cooperated in most places, allowing people to witness and share the eclipse on social media.
I was fortunate to witness the eclipse from a cruise ship off the coast of Mazatlán, Mexico, alongside a group of astronomers. Despite a few clouds, the view of the eclipsed Sun was breathtaking. As the shadow approached, the temperature dropped, and we were treated to 4 minutes and 20 seconds of totality.
However, some regions were only able to witness darkened clouds, while others outside the path of totality experienced a partial view. Despite this, many people utilized eclipse glasses or pinhole projection methods to observe the partial phases of the eclipse.
Eclipse from the Air
Those fortunate enough to fly during the eclipse had a unique opportunity to extend their experience by taking a jet plane along the path of totality. Flight-tracking apps recorded a surge in traffic along the eclipse’s path, with several airlines offering special flights for passengers to witness this rare event.
Moreover, an intrepid NASA jet pilot managed to capture a mesmerizing view of the eclipse from within the shadow. In space, astronauts aboard the International Space Station were treated to a stunning sight of the umbra and penumbra passing over the maritime provinces of Canada.
Future Eclipses
The unforgettable 2024 eclipse has left many yearning for more such experiences, but the next one in this region will occur in 2045. Until then, there are several upcoming total solar eclipses, lunar, and annular events. The years 2026, 2027, and 2028 will bring totalities to parts of Europe, Egypt, and Australia. Detailed information about upcoming eclipses, including safe viewing practices and live broadcasts, can be found on sites like Mr. Eclipse and NASA’s dedicated eclipse page.
For More Information
2024 Eclipse as Seen From The Moon
The April 8 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA
News
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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