News
The influence of Mars’ gravity on Earth’s oceans
Gravity From Mars has an Effect on Earth’s Oceans
The celestial bodies in our solar system have a profound impact on each other, even from great distances. While we are well aware of the Moon’s influence on Earth’s tides, recent research has unveiled a surprising connection between Mars and our planet’s oceans. Despite being millions of kilometers away, Mars exerts a subtle gravitational pull that affects the geological records of Earth’s oceans over extended periods.
A fascinating 2.4 million year cycle has been discovered in these records, reflecting the gradual warming and cooling of our oceans. This cycle aligns with the intricate dance of orbits between Earth and Mars, known as ‘astronomical grand cycles.’ While the gravitational forces between the Moon and Earth are easily understood due to their proximity, the impact of Mars, being approximately half the size of Earth and much farther away, is a complex and intriguing phenomenon.
As Earth and Mars orbit the Sun, their gravitational interactions create cyclical patterns known as astronomical grand cycles, occurring every 2.4 million years. A recent study published in Nature Communications by researchers from the University of Sydney and Sorbonne University in France sheds light on this phenomenon. By analyzing deep-sea geological records, the scientists found a correlation between these grand cycles, global warming trends, and deep ocean currents.
The findings revealed a 2.4 million year fluctuation in deep ocean currents, which appeared to coincide with periods of heightened global warming. While it is essential to note that ocean currents are not the sole driver of climate change, the study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between planetary forces and Earth’s climate.
The research, led by Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz and Professor Dietmar Muller from the University of Sydney, along with Associate Professor Slah Boulila from Sorbonne University, analyzed deep-sea sediment records spanning decades of drilling data from numerous sites worldwide. The 2.4 million year cycle observed in the sedimentary deposits can be directly attributed to the gravitational interactions between Earth and Mars.
The gravitational dynamics between the two planets result in periodic increases in incoming solar radiation every 2.4 million years, leading to elevated global temperatures. The analysis of sedimentary layers indicated breaks corresponding to warmer periods and enhanced deep ocean circulation, offering valuable insights into the role of deep ocean eddies in ocean temperature regulation.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for modeling future climate scenarios and preparing for potential disruptions in ocean currents, such as changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. This circulation system, which includes the Gulf Stream responsible for maintaining Europe’s mild climate, could be influenced by the gravitational interplay between Earth and Mars.
For more information, you can access the original article from the University of Sydney here.
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?