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Neutron Stars are Ejecting Material at Nearly Half the Speed of Light
Neutron stars, like their massive counterparts black holes, are not just passive entities that quietly absorb matter. Recent observations have revealed that some neutron stars are actively jetting material away at speeds reaching 40% of the speed of light. This fascinating discovery sheds light on the dynamic and explosive nature of these celestial objects.
It is well-known that black holes generate powerful jets as they interact with surrounding material. These jets can reach incredible speeds and have been the subject of extensive study. However, neutron stars, which are remnants of massive stars that have undergone a supernova explosion, are now also known to exhibit similar jetting behavior.
The European Space Agency’s International Gamma Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (Integral) has played a crucial role in uncovering this phenomenon. Integral, launched in 2002, is equipped with instruments that can detect gamma ray events with energies up to 8 MeV. These instruments have revealed the presence of high-velocity jets emanating from neutron stars, traveling at speeds comparable to the speed of light.
A team of astronomers led by Thomas Russell from the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy devised a clever method to track the movement of material along the length of these jets. By studying neutron stars that are in binary systems, where they orbit another star and strip material off the companion, the astronomers were able to observe the acceleration and ejection of material along the star’s rotational axis.
Observations of two specific neutron stars, 4U 1728-34 and 4U 1636-536, provided valuable insights into this jetting phenomenon. The detection of x-ray burst events in these stars, along with supporting observations from radio telescopes, confirmed the presence of powerful jets emanating from neutron stars. Surprisingly, the jets were found to withstand the intense nuclear explosions that accompany these events, further highlighting their resilience.
This new technique of studying neutron star jets offers a promising avenue for further exploration of these dynamic systems. By observing more neutron stars with jetting behavior, astronomers hope to unravel the mechanisms responsible for launching these jets and gain a deeper understanding of these enigmatic celestial objects.
Source: Integral spots giant explosions feeding neutron star jets?
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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