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First-time Images of Turbulence within Solar Transients Captured by WISPR Team

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has been studying the Sun for the last six years. Recently, in 2021, it was directly hit by a coronal mass ejection when it was a mere 10 million kilometers from the solar surface. This fortunate event allowed the probe to gather valuable data and images, enabling scientists to compile an incredible video showcasing the interactions between the solar wind and the coronal mass ejection, providing an unprecedented view of the solar corona.

The Sun, our local star, has always been a captivating subject of study. Despite numerous research efforts, mysteries continue to shroud it. The launch of the NASA Parker Solar Probe in 2018 was aimed at unraveling some of these mysteries. This revolutionary spacecraft, propelled by the Delta IV heavy, has ventured closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft, conducting seven close encounters with our star.

12729 swingbysuncloseup2018revised.00206 print 0 — Illustration of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the Sun. Credits: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

As Parker Solar Probe continues its seven-year mission, it will complete 24 orbits around the Sun and approach as close as 6.2 million kilometers to the visible surface. To withstand the blistering 1,377 degrees Celsius temperatures near the Sun, the probe is equipped with an 11.4cm thick carbon composite shield to maintain the coolness of its internal components.

During its journey through the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, the probe detected turbulence within a coronal mass ejection as it interacted with the solar wind. These ejections are massive eruptions of highly magnetized and energetic plasma from the Sun’s corona, which can cause disruptions in magnetic and radio fields, affecting communications and power systems on Earth.

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researchers solve 20 y 750 3 — Image of a coronal mass ejection being discharged from the Sun. (Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Solar Dynamics Observatory)

Using the Wide Field Imager for Parker Solar Probe (WISPR) and its unique positioning within the solar atmosphere, the science team captured unprecedented footage, showcasing what appeared to be turbulent eddies known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities (KHIs) in one of the images. These turbulent structures have been observed in the atmospheres of terrestrial planets, where strong wind shear results in distinct wave-like cloud formations.

Evangelos Paouris, PhD, a member of the WISPR team, was the first to spot this phenomenon. Paouris and the team meticulously analyzed the structure to validate the presence of these waves. The discovery of these rare features within the coronal mass ejection has opened up new avenues for research and investigations.

These KHIs play a crucial role in the movement of coronal mass ejections as they travel through the solar wind. Understanding these phenomena provides valuable insights into the dynamics of CMEs and enhances our understanding of the Sun’s corona. This knowledge not only helps us comprehend the Sun better but also aids in predicting the impact of CMEs on Earth and our space-based technologies.

Source : WISPR Team Images Turbulence within Solar Transients for the First Time

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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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.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.