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The levels of radiation astronauts experience over the course of an extended mission in deep space could lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Does Deep Space Travel Cause Alzheimer’s?

A new study indicates that the levels of radiation astronauts would experience over the course of a deep space mission could lead to dementia

Soon you too will be a knitting sensation after the Renwick’s workshop.

Events January 1-3: Arctic Traditions, Contemporary Art and Stitching Workshops

Travel up North, tour the best of the Hirshhorn and become a crafting sensation all in one week!

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Remember These Titans of Science Who Died in 2012

From the inventor of the barcode to the discoverer of how cancer spreads, we take a look at the brilliant minds who shaped our culture and modern way of life

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Space Exploration and the End of an Era: Notable Deaths in 2012

Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Roger Boisjoly and the shuttle program form this year’s late greats of space exploration

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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

A History of Sequins from King Tut to the King of Pop

As you don your sparkly holiday fashions, think of the trend’s start in an Egyptian tomb

Comet ISON, still just a faint glimmer at the crosshairs of this telescope image, could be the brightest comet in a generation next November.

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

LISTEN: Grammy-Nominated Folkways Artist Elizabeth Mitchell Discusses Parenthood and Being in a Band with Your Kid

Nominated for her Woody Guthrie tribute album, Mitchell also has a new album of rock covers, from David Bowie to Jimi Hendrix

Is our world really not enough? Simple pleasures like swimming in the Adriatic Sea or hiking in the hills of Greece (in the upper right of the photo) will require staying on Earth.

Do We Really Need to Take Vacations to Space?

The possibility of entering a sealed aircraft, buckling up and exiting the atmosphere in the name of leisure is nearing reality

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Six Innovators to Watch in 2013

All are inventive minds pushing technology in fresh directions, some to solve stubborn problems, others to make our lives a little fuller

‘Straight’ (2008-12) by Ai Weiwei

Events December 28-30: Ai Weiwei, Lincoln and Andy Warhol

A rear-view of Snøhetta’s addition to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Architecture to Watch in 2013

Whether they’re breaking ground or topping off, these are the biggest building projects we’ll be watching in 2013

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Why Do We Blink So Frequently?

New research indicates that the brain enters a momentary state of wakeful rest when we blink, perhaps allowing us to focus better afterward

Sparky, the electric eel, and his Christmas tree.

A Twinkling Christmas Tree, Powered by…an Electric Eel?

A Utah aquarium uses the charges emitted by an electric eel to trigger the lights on a nearby tree

Be your own tour guide with the Smithsonian’s Visitors Guide app.

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

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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

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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

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The Best Inventions of 2012 You Haven’t Heard of Yet (Part 2)

Here’s the second half of a list of innovations that, while not as splashy as Google Glass, may actually become a bigger part of our daily lives.

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Smithsonian’s Very Own Maestro David Baker is All That’s Jazz

David Baker, the leader of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, steps down, leaving a soaring legacy in his wake

A new study indicates that marijuana isn’t a painkiller, but a pain distracter: Under the influence of THC, the same levels of pain are simply less bothersome.

Marijuana Isn’t a Pain Killer—It’s a Pain Distracter

A new study finds that under the influence of marijuana, the same levels of pain are simply less bothersome

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