Smithsonian Magazine | Smithsonian Magazine

Ed Dwight: The Astronaut Who Wasn't

The Kennedy administration sought a diverse face to the space program, but for reasons unknown, the pilot was kept from reaching the stars

Pink Manta Ray Spotted Near Lady Elliot Island

Researchers suspect a genetic mutation may have gifted the giant fish, named Inspector Clouseau, his rosy hue

Dozens of Old Mexican Cookbooks Now Online

The University of Texas San Antonio's vast collection makes traditional Mexican and Mexican-American cooking accessible

14 Fun Facts About Love and Sex in Nature

Out in the wild, flowers and candy just aren’t gonna cut it

Jetting Into the Future

The unique design of the flyer, held in the collections of the Smithsonian, has infatuated aviation enthusiasts for decades

This 11,000-Year-Old Piece of Wood Is More Than It Seems

It looks like a fairly nondescript plank of wood, found in the fields of Star Carr. But from an archaeological perspective, it’s far more significant: It’s the oldest piece of carpentry found anywhere in Europe.

Ed Dwight: The Astronaut Who Wasn't — Ed Dwight: The Astronaut Who Wasn't

The Kennedy administration sought a diverse face to the space program, but for reasons unknown, the pilot was kept from reaching the stars

Pink Manta Ray Spotted Near Lady Elliot Island — Pink Manta Ray Spotted Near Lady Elliot Island

Researchers suspect a genetic mutation may have gifted the giant fish, named Inspector Clouseau, his rosy hue

Dozens of Old Mexican Cookbooks Now Online — Dozens of Old Mexican Cookbooks Now Online

The University of Texas San Antonio's vast collection makes traditional Mexican and Mexican-American cooking accessible

14 Fun Facts About Love and Sex in Nature — 14 Fun Facts About Love and Sex in Nature

Out in the wild, flowers and candy just aren’t gonna cut it

Jetting Into the Future — Jetting Into the Future

The unique design of the flyer, held in the collections of the Smithsonian, has infatuated aviation enthusiasts for decades

This 11,000-Year-Old Piece of Wood Is More Than It Seems — This 11,000-Year-Old Piece of Wood Is More Than It Seems

It looks like a fairly nondescript plank of wood, found in the fields of Star Carr. But from an archaeological perspective, it’s far more significant: It’s the oldest piece of carpentry found anywhere in Europe.

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Ed Dwight Was Going to Be the First African American in Space. Until He Wasn't

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