Oceanography
Photos of Starfish Up Close: What Are You Looking At?
A stunning look at starfish reveal beautiful patterns--but what exactly are those wormy structures, bald patches, and spiky maces?
February 08, 2013 |
By Hannah Waters
Salmon Swim Home Using Earth’s Magnetic Field as a GPS
Their intuitive sense of the magnetic field surrounding them allow sockeye salmon to circumnavigate obstacles to find their birth stream
February 07, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
The Year’s Most Outstanding Science Visualizations
A juried competition honors photographs, illustrations, videos, posters, games and apps that marry art and science in an evocative way
February 05, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Scientists Dismiss Geo-Engineering as a Global Warming Quick Fix
A new study shows that dispersing minerals into oceans to stem climate change would be an inefficient and impractical process
January 23, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
Researchers Discover New Method of Barnacle Sex
Upending 150 years of theory, scientists observed that some barnacles can capture sperm from the water for reproduction
January 17, 2013 |
By Emily Frost
New Study Suggests Crabs Can Feel Pain After All
Most of us assume that crustaceans can't feel pain—but new research suggests otherwise
January 16, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Drill, Baby, Drill: Sponges Bore Into Shells Twice as Fast in Acidic Seawater
In acidic water, drilling sponges damage scallops twice as quickly, worsening the effects of ocean acidification.
January 10, 2013 |
By Hannah Waters
Is Climate Change Strengthening El Niño?
New research on Pacific corals that trace climate patterns back 7,000 years shows how recent El Niños compare with those of the past
January 09, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
The Smithsonian Heads to Hawaii
Coral reefs and radio telescopes make a trip to the tropics more than worthwhile
January 2013 |
By G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Seven Must-See Art-Meets-Science Exhibitions in 2013
Preview some of the top-notch shows—on anatomy, bioluminescence, water tanks and more—slated for the next year
December 28, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
5 Science Stories to Watch in 2013
The new year could feature discoveries of life within subglacial Antarctic lakes, the brightest comet in generations and more
December 28, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Ten Best Ocean Stories of 2012
From deep-sea squid habits to vanishing coral reefs, here are the ocean stories we couldn’t stop talking about this year.
December 18, 2012 |
By Hannah Waters
The Christmas Tree Worm, Decorating Coral Reefs Year-Round
The oceans show holiday spirit with a worm on coral reefs that resembles a fluffy fir tree adorned with colored ornaments.
December 14, 2012 |
By Emily Frost
Mythical Particles, Goldilocks Planets and More: Top 5 Surprising Scientific Milestones of 2012
From the Higgs Boson to the Curiosity rover, 2012 was a major year for science
December 14, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Insane Amount of Biodiversity in One Cubic Foot
David Liittschwager travels to the world's richest ecosystems, photographing all the critters that pass through his "biocube" in 24 hours
November 30, 2012 |
By Jeff Greenwald
Confirmed: Both Antarctica and Greenland Are Losing Ice
After decades of uncertainty, a new study confirms that both polar ice sheets are melting
November 29, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Why Do We Hiccup? And Other Scientific Mysteries—Seen Through the Eyes of Artists
In a new book, 75 artists illustrate questions scientists haven't fully answered yet
November 28, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Trash as Treasure: Crocheting Plastic Coral Reefs
With yarn made from discarded plastic bags, Australian artist Helle Jorgensen stitches delicate sculptures of corals
November 16, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
When Attacked, Corals Send Out Chemical Signals to Recruit Bodyguard Fish
New science reveals that, when threatened by toxic seaweed, corals send out chemical signals to small goby fish that remove the coral-choking greenery
November 08, 2012 |
By Hannah Waters
The World’s Rarest Whale Species Spotted in New Zealand
A pair of spade-toothed whales washed ashore on a beach, the first time the complete body of a member of this species has ever been seen
November 05, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
