Technologies

Mars snow is dusty, and might even melt into liquid water

Dusty, dark Mars ice could suck up solar energy and maybe even get a little melty.

This story is part of Welcome to Mars, our series exploring the red planet.

Back in 2008, NASA made a big announcement that its Phoenix lander had confirmed water ice near the surface of Mars. A team of researchers has taken a new look at what Phoenix found, combined it with data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and used computer simulations to better understand the dustiness of the ice and what that can tell us about Mars’ climate history.

Not surprisingly, Mars snow has dust mixed into it. «The dustier the ice is, the darker and thus warmer the ice gets, which can affect both its stability and evolution through time,» Arizona State University said in a statement last week. «Under certain conditions, this might also mean that the ice could melt on Mars.»

The team’s paper on the Martian ice has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

«There is a chance that this dusty and dark ice might melt a few centimeters down,» said planetary scientist Aditya Khuller, lead author of the paper. «And any subsurface liquid water produced from melting will be protected from evaporating in Mars’ wispy atmosphere by the overlying blanket of ice.»

The research points to the ice investigated by Phoenix coming from dusty snowfall sometime over the last million years. It will require further work to determine if the ice might actually melt into liquid water, but it’s an intriguing idea.

Understanding water on Mars is key to understanding the chances the red planet might have once hosted microbial life. Current-day Mars is dry, dusty and very cold, which makes it pretty inhospitable, though a study earlier this year suggested Earth microbes might be able to survive on Mars temporarily.

Ice on Mars could also be important for future human visitors who will need water resources. In 2019, NASA released a «treasure map» of water ice that could potentially be reached by astronauts.

The history of water on Mars is complex and often mysterious. Some recent studies had suggested there might be hidden briny lakes at the planet’s south pole, but newer evidence argues they might actually be frozen clays. NASA’s Perseverance rover is currently checking out a former lakebed in the Jezero Crater in a search for signs of ancient microbial life.

The new study on Martian snow and its dustiness gives scientists one more piece to place into the larger puzzle of Mars water. Could there be pockets of puddles on Mars? Perhaps. You might want to pack a straw just in case.

Follow CNET’s 2021 Space Calendar to stay up to date with all the latest space news this year. You can even add it to your own Google Calendar.

Technologies

Episode 2 of the VERUM Mini-Series is Now Out

The story continues. Verum Messenger has released the second episode of its AI mini-series, which follows the conflict between the powerful Omega corporation, aiming to control digital communications, and a team of heroes who have chosen a different path and free communication.

The mini-series not only develops an engaging storyline but also introduces viewers to the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, showcasing technologies and tools that may redefine the future of modern communication.

The project consists of 7 episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 2 is now available. Stay tuned and don’t miss what comes next.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

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Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger