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Massive Stars Can Influence the Formation of Solar Systems

Massive stars have a profound impact on shaping solar systems, not just in the way our own Solar System was formed, but in how other solar systems are created as well. These massive stars have the power to influence the formation of planets in their protoplanetary disks, ultimately determining the fate of these nascent planetary systems.

When stars are young, they are surrounded by protoplanetary disks made up of gas and dust. Within these disks, planets begin to form over millions of years. However, the mass and radiation output of stars can significantly affect this process, potentially preventing planets from forming altogether.

A recent study published in the journal Science, titled “A far-ultraviolet–driven photoevaporation flow observed in a protoplanetary disk,” delves into how the intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by massive stars influences planet formation in nearby disks. Led by Olivier Berne from the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetology at the University of Toulouse, France, the research focuses on the impact of high-mass stars in the Orion Nebula and its stellar nurseries.

These massive stars, at least ten times more massive than our Sun and 10,000 times more luminous, emit copious amounts of Far-Ultraviolet (FUV) radiation. This radiation can strip mass from the protoplanetary disks, inhibiting planet formation not only in their own disks but also in the disks of nearby low-mass stars.

Research suggests that the FUV radiation creates photodissociation regions (PDRs) on the surfaces of protoplanetary disks around low-mass stars, affecting the formation of planets within the disks. The study examines a protoplanetary disk in the Trapezium Cluster in the Orion Nebula, where the intense FUV radiation from the massive stars is dispersing matter in the disk, making it challenging for planets like Jupiter to form due to the loss of material.

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Photoevaporation, driven by radiation heating the upper layers of the disk, causes the gas to exceed the disk’s escape velocity, resulting in gas loss from the system. The FUV radiation leads to the dissociation of molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen, marking the transition between molecular and atomic hydrogen. This process, along with the formation of PDRs, significantly impacts the evolution of the protoplanetary disk.

For disks with less massive stars, the loss of hydrogen can hinder planet formation, while those with more massive stars may retain more matter, aiding in the planet-forming process. The research highlights how these high-mass stars shape not only the formation of planets but also influence the disk’s mass, radius, and chemical evolution, as well as the growth and migration of any planets that do manage to form.

Overall, the study sheds light on the intricate interplay between massive stars and planet formation, illustrating how these stellar giants play a crucial role in shaping the destiny of solar systems.

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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.