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Astronomers Create Detailed 3D Map of Cosmic Dust Spanning Thousands of Light-Years
A team of astronomers have recently accomplished a significant feat in the field of astronomy by creating a 3D map of dust within thousands of light-years in our galaxy. The interstellar dust and gas that fill the space between stars play a crucial role in the formation of stars and the evolution of the galaxy. Despite accounting for only 1% of the mass of the interstellar medium, this dust reflects an impressive 30% of starlight in infrared wavelengths.
The team of astronomers utilized the scattering and absorption of starlight by dust particles, also known as extinction, to map out dust clouds in three dimensions. This phenomenon not only allows them to explore the dust clouds in detail but also provides insights into the distribution and density of dust along different lines of sight. By combining this information with precise distance measurements to stars, the team was able to construct a comprehensive 3D map of dust in our galaxy.
One of the key contributors to this groundbreaking work is the Gaia space observatory, launched by the European Space Agency a decade ago. Gaia has been instrumental in mapping the positions and distances of over 1 billion stars within a few kiloparsecs of the Sun. This precise stellar astrometry data, along with photometric, extinction, and spectroscopic data, provided the ideal dataset for investigating the three-dimensional distribution of dust in the Milky Way.
Lead author Gordian Edenhofer from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics led the study, which has now been published in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The team’s 3D dust map offers unprecedented resolution and coverage, extending up to 1.25 kiloparsecs from the Sun. By leveraging distance and extinction estimates from previous studies with lower uncertainties, the team was able to achieve a higher resolution and more accurate map of dust distribution in our galaxy.
The team’s work not only confirms existing 3D dust maps but also expands the coverage and resolution of space studied. The map is now available online, accessible to anyone interested in delving deeper into the distribution of dust and the properties of the interstellar medium. This significant achievement opens up new avenues for further research and exploration in the field of astronomy.
Overall, this groundbreaking 3D dust map represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the interstellar environment within our galaxy. With the data now publicly available, scientists and enthusiasts alike can continue to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos with this invaluable resource at their fingertips.
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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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?