Technologies

NASA scientist answers big question: Will an asteroid ever hit Earth?

You probably already know the answer.

There’s nothing quite like an alarmist headline about a big asteroid visiting Earth’s neighborhood in space to get the blood pumping. Add in the popularity of space disaster movies like Armageddon, and you can understand why humanity might have an obsession with space rocks. So what does a NASA scientist have to say about it?

NASA released a short video Wednesday with scientist Kelly Fast, an asteroid expert working on planetary defense, answering the pressing question, «Will an asteroid ever hit Earth?»

Fast had a quick response: «Yes, asteroids have hit Earth over the course of its history and it will happen again.» But don’t panic, it doesn’t happen very often, and we’re getting better and better at spotting and tracking potential threats.

Bits of space rock and dust are constantly bashing into our atmosphere, giving us spectacular meteor showers to enjoy. Asteroids that affect the Earth’s surface are much rarer. «They happen on time scales of hundreds to thousands to millions of years,» Fast said.

Scientists are keeping a close eye on some rocks, like asteroid Bennu and its 1 in 1,750 chance of smacking Earth in the future. It’s nothing to lose sleep over. In fact, here’s a handy guide for when to actually fear space rocks. Spoiler: not very often.

NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office pointed out on Twitter that there are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth for the next century.

Asteroids are still a concern, which is why NASA and other space agencies are working on ways to deal with potentially threatening objects. NASA is gearing up to launch its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), a planetary defense mission that’ll crash a spacecraft into a moonlet to see if it can change its path. If it works, the concept could be used to nudge a dangerous asteroid away from our planet.

So an asteroid will come for us someday, but hopefully we’ll have plenty of warning and may even be able to do something about it.

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

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im