Articles

Cool Finds

Fresh From 1849: The First Animated Gif of the Moon

A series of exposures shows the oldest surviving photo of the Moon

January 20, 2014

Photos: Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

Iconic images of King from the Smithsonian collection

January 17, 2014

Cool Finds

Archaeologists in Egypt Just Unearthed a Previously Unknown Pharaoh’s Tomb

Ancient Egypt’s King Senebkay just arose after a 3,650 year slumber

January 17, 2014

New Research

School Really Should Start Later

Pushing start times back just 25 minutes can increase how much sleep teens get and how productive they are

January 17, 2014

Will Japanese Researchers Grow Human Organs Inside Pigs?

A controversial technique to develop body parts from stem cells may someday save countless lives, but will society allow it?

January 17, 2014

Trending Today

The Extreme Dakar Rally Is Tearing Up the Inca Empire

500 drivers in an extreme off-road race, and plenty of damage to historic sites

January 17, 2014

Cool Finds

It’s Ben Franklin’s Birthday—Want to Rummage Through His Papers?

4,522 documents, letters and notes that Franklin wrote or received

January 17, 2014

Trending Today

The Sochi Olympics Are Turning Into the Security Olympics

Russian authorities have far-reaching plans to spy on guests

January 17, 2014

Trending Today

20 Years Ago Today, the Northridge Earthquake Rocked L.A.

Sixty people died and thousands were left homeless in one of the most deadly earthquakes in American history

January 17, 2014

Trending Today

It’s So Hot They Had to Suspend the Australian Open Because Players Were Passing Out

Australia is getting hotter, creating dangerous conditions for everyone

January 17, 2014

The King of All Fossils is Coming to Smithsonian in April

One of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found will be on display at the National Museum of Natural History

January 17, 2014

Beach Tourists Who Collect Shells May Be Harming the Environment

At one beach in Spain, increasing numbers of tourists have caused a 60 percent decline in shell abundance, potentially disrupting the aquatic ecosystem

January 17, 2014

Power Tools

10 Things Brewmaster Annie Johnson Can’t Live Without

From kettles to apps, flasks to forums, these resources help the Sacramento-based home chemist concoct her award-winning beers

January 16, 2014

LISTEN: Five-Time Grammy Winner Flaco Jiménez Returns to his Tex-Mex Roots

Virtuoso 12-string bajo sexto player Max Baca talks about his long-time partner Flaco Jiménez

January 16, 2014

Smithsonian’s Bee Man Delivers Up Some Advice for Dealing with Colony Collapse Disorder

David Roubik, who pioneered the field of tropical bee studies, says what will save them is a better understanding of their natural state

January 16, 2014

New Research

Diet Soda Makes Breathalyzers Think You’re Drunk

Maybe because you are

January 16, 2014

A New Way to Find Out If Your Chocolate Is Legit

You no longer have to be expert chocolate-taster to tell whether your cacao beans are as fancy as advertised

January 16, 2014

Cool Finds

Not All the Knights of the Round Table Were White

The storytellers assumed we’d be sharp enough to pick up on their hints that Sir Morien was black. Turns out, we’re not

January 16, 2014

New Research

To Boost Your Chances of Kickstarter Success, Use These Key Phrases

Some phrases shows up time and again in successful Kickstarters, while others are associated with failure

January 16, 2014

Photos: Namibia’s Wild Places

Journey through Namibia’s beautiful landscapes with these photos submitted by our readers

January 16, 2014