At the Smithsonian / Ask Smithsonian

Ask Smithsonian 2017

Did Ellis Island Officials Really Change the Names of Immigrants?

On the 125th anniversary of the famous portal to the U.S., history shows inspectors were not the ones changing people’s names

December 28, 2016

Ask Smithsonian: What’s the Longest You Can Hold Your Breath?

A dive into the science shows it is possible to override the system

October 25, 2016

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When Was the First Map Produced and More Questions From Our Readers

You asked, we answered

November 2016

Ask Smithsonian: What’s the Point of Earwax?

Earwax has a job to do; but many are not hearing the message

October 13, 2016

Ask Smithsonian: When Did People Start Keeping Pets?

The human-pet timeline is still being put together, but turns out man’s best friend might also be his oldest

September 28, 2016

Why Do We Still Have Morse Code and More Questions From Our Readers

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October 2016

Ask Smithsonian: How Does the World Look to the Color Blind?

Most people who are color blind can see colors, they just have trouble distinguishing between specific kinds

September 13, 2016

Your Questions About African-American History, Answered

A special edition of Ask Smithsonian on the occasion of the opening of a new Smithsonian museum

September 2016

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Ask Smithsonian: What Is a Dimple?

Michael Jordan, Vanessa Hudgens and all those celeb dimples to die for? Just a result of a double zygomaticus major muscle

August 30, 2016

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Ask Smithsonian: Can Animals Predict Earthquakes?

Humans cling to the idea that the beasts of the field could help to make earthquakes predictable, but prognosticators they are not

August 10, 2016

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What’s the Difference Between Invasive and Nonnative Species? Plus, More Questions From Our Readers

You asked, we answered

July 2016

Why Do Humans Have Canine Teeth and More Questions From Our Readers

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June 2016

How Do Butterflies Fly and More Questions From Our Readers

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April 2016

Ask Smithsonian: Why Does My Nose Run When It’s Cold?

The nose knows that runny flows are necessary in the cold

March 21, 2016

Ask Smithsonian: Why Do We Kiss?

According to philematology, or the science for the study of kissing, romance has little to do with it

February 8, 2016

Ask Smithsonian: Can Elephants Jump?

The question is why would an animal weighing up to 16,000 pounds need to jump?

January 25, 2016

Ask Smithsonian: What Is Wind?

Whether arriving on a gentle breeze or a stiff gale, air moves like water responding to high and low pressures around the Earth

January 11, 2016

Does Altitude Affect Animals the Same Way it Affects Humans and More Questions From Our Readers

You asked, we answered

January 2016

Ask Smithsonian: Why Do We Sneeze?

Whether you sneeze because of a cold, or after sex or a good meal or in sunlight, the good old Achoo is the body’s way of ridding itself of irritants

December 29, 2015

Ask Smithsonian: How Do Colors Affect Our Moods?

Whether you are feeling green with envy or you’re singing the blues, the link between color and feeling is a highly individual thing

December 15, 2015