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Outer Space, our solar system and Earth’s geography, geology and human environmentDiscover Smithsonian articles by place—including Earth, the solar system and outer space.
Events December 25-27: Visitor’s Guides, Maya Weaving and Grandma’s Kwanzaa
This week, catch a demonstration and hear stories of celebration, or just tour the museums with our custom-made app
December 24, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Take a Tour of Victor Hugo's Paris
As a film version of his Les Miserables hits theaters, consider traveling in the French writer’s footsteps
December 24, 2012 |
By Nina Fedrizzi
Frida Kahlo’s Closet Finally Opened for the World
After Frida Kahlo died, her eccentric husband, the painter Diego Rivera, refused to let anyone open her closet. Now, finally, Frida's closet is on display for the world
December 21, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Most Arctic Animals Should Deal With Climate Change Just Fine
New research suggests that most Arctic mammals will actually be helped, not hurt, by climate change
December 21, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Using Only a Camera, Trace the Solar Analemma and Plot the Solstice
When viewed at the same time every day for a year, the Sun traces a pattern in the sky that can help you find out when a solstice occurs
December 21, 2012 |
By Mohi Kumar
North Korea Made Its First Video Game: Pyongyang Racer
Drive around and take in the sights of a virtual Pyongyang-style city
December 21, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The History of the Teddy Bear: From Wet and Angry to Soft and Cuddly
After Teddy Roosevelt's act of sportsmanship in 1902 was made legendary by a political cartoonist, his name was forever affixed to an American classic
December 21, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Photo of the Week: A Tiger of a Festival!
Photographer Indranil Sengupta snapped this photo at a Puli Kali procession during the annual Onam festival in Kerala, India
December 21, 2012 |
By Indranil Sengupta
Photo of the Week: Star Trails Over Coronado Heights
This beautiful long exposure by photo contest contestant Mike Beauchamp captures the night sky as it circles around Polaris, the North Star
December 21, 2012 |
By Indranil Sengupta
The Best Places to See and Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Many temples and monuments were intentionally built to face, frame or otherwise "welcome" the rising winter solstice sun
December 20, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Coconut Shell Contraption Turns Your Bicycle Into a Monty Python Skit
This bicycle-mounted coconut holder lets you pretend you're riding a horse
December 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Russia Just Voted To Stop Letting Americans Adopt Russian Kids
The Duma - Russia's power house of Parliament - voted in support of a bill that would ban American citizens from adopting Russian orphans
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Spider Builds Fake Spider Decoy
The new spider, thought to be a member of the genus Cyclosa, might build these decoys as part of a defense mechanism to confuse or distract predators
December 20, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Where’s Rudolph? Inside the Decline of Alaska’s Caribou
The antlered herd’s population is declining – what’s going on in the Alaskan wilderness?
December 20, 2012 |
By Molly Loomis
‘In Cold Blood’ Killers Exhumed
Richard Hickock and Perry Smith's bodies were exhumed yesterday, as part of an investigation into four murders committed in Florida in 1959
December 19, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
In Vigil for Newtown Victims, Video Gamers Will Put Down Their Weapons
On Friday, December 21st, a day of cease fire for online shooters
December 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Boy Who Became a World War II Veteran at 13 Years Old
In 1942, Seaman Calvin Graham was decorated for valor in battle. Then his mother learned where he'd been and revealed his secret to the Navy.
December 19, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Pitcher Plants Entice Ants With a Water Slide of Death
A Venezuelan pitcher plant's specially adapted, wettable hairs counter the sticky pads and little claws on insect feet and are especially deadly for ants
December 19, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Stop Texting While You’re Walking
Texting while walking is pretty obviously a bad idea - but just how bad is it?
December 19, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Native American Woman May Have Made It to Europe 500 Years Before Columbus Was Born
Portions of DNA passed only from mother to child reveal that about 80 people living in Iceland today possess a genetic variation distinct to one found mostly in Native Americans
December 19, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
