Technologies

New 3D Map of Mars’ North Pole Reveals Buried Canyon

A radar-generated view teases out geologic secrets from below the surface of Mars.

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

Mars’ south pole has attracted a lot of attention lately thanks to the unsolved mystery of hidden lakes, but let’s not forget the planet’s scenic north pole, an icy wonderland that has some secrets of its own. A new 3D radar image of the pole shows what’s lurking beneath the surface.

A team of researchers led by Nathaniel Putzig of the Planetary Science Institute used radar data collected by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to create a new polar map. The image is called a radargram. It highlights previously obscured features like an impact crater and a buried canyon.

MRO is equipped with a Shallow Radar (Sharad) instrument that bounces radar waves off Mars, letting scientists «see» below the surface. The PSI team processed that data into a 3D view of the subsurface. The black oval labeled as a «no-data zone» is an area not imaged by Sharad. The researchers published their work in The Planetary Science Journal on Monday.

Sharad was designed to look for liquid or frozen water, but the reflected radar waves also show what’s happening with rocks and sand. It’s helping scientists form a picture of how geologic layers have been deposited and eroded at the pole.

A canyon hidden in an icy zone might conjure up Lovecraftian visions, but the radargram isn’t about sci-fi horror stories. This is about understanding polar geology and how it connects to the red planet’s climate history. Like Earth, Mars is a rocky planet, but it took a very different path to become the inhospitable place it is today.

The 3D map is just the beginning of the tale. Said Putzig, «So far, we have only scratched the surface of understanding what the new data volume is telling us about the history of Martian polar processes and climate, and there is a lot more detailed mapping work to be done.»

Next up, researchers intend to identify more buried impact craters and assess subsurface structures that appear in the image. The same process used to create the polar radargram may also be effective in showing what’s happening in other regions of the planet. Mars’ beauty and intrigue aren’t just surface-deep. Clues to its history are hidden below.

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