At the Smithsonian

Events March 12-14: Missions to Mars, the Civil War in Art and a Meditation on Imaginary Landscapes

Meet the scientist behind the Mars rover, learn the civil war’s influence on contemporary art and watch films by European media collective Flatland

March 11, 2013

The Cyrus Cylinder Goes on View at the Sackler Gallery

The Cyrus Cylinder makes its U.S. debut on March 9. It is considered one of the most important archaeological artifacts in history.

March 8, 2013

What Happened the Last Time the Climate Changed

Smithsonian scientists investigate a sudden warming of the Earth 55 million years ago to understand how climate change will affect future ecosystems

March 8, 2013

Two-Time Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas Talks Big Dreams, Big Wins and Having Fun

Douglas discusses her recent donation of her leotard and other items from the 2012 London Olympics

March 7, 2013

Events March 8-10: An Old School Southern Film, an International Women’s Day Celebration and a Classical Concert

This week, watch Bette Davis in the 1938 hit Jezebel, join performance art that honors African women and listen to one of the world’s best pianos

March 7, 2013

Snowy Day, But Smithsonian D.C. Museums Open, Zoo Closes

Bad weather threatens the metro area, but the Smithsonian museums Will Open, National Zoo is Closed

March 6, 2013

Winged Migration: The 77-Carat Butterfly Brooch That “Glows” in the Dark

The piece by Taiwanese artist Cindy Chao has a surprise revealed only under ultraviolet light

March 5, 2013

Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian

From a Confederate spy to a deepwater researcher, women are everywhere and the Smithsonian is telling their stories

March 5, 2013

The Greatest R&B Singer Who Never Existed

How the make-believe alter ego of an imaginative teen in the 1970s won him the fame he always dreamed of 40 years later

March 5, 2013

Events March 5-7: Understanding Contemporary Art, Québec Microbrews and Lute Player Naseer Shamma

This week, learn how to interpret contemporary art, taste some Canadian microbrews and listen to one of the world’s best flute players

March 4, 2013

Video: Panda Gets Randy, Keeper Reports on the Panda-monium

Breeding season for the giant pandas gets underway this month at the National Zoo

March 1, 2013

E.T. Phone Home: New Research Could Detect Signs of Life in this Decade

Thanks to a proposal by astronomers Avi Loeb and Dan Maoz, we could find evidence of extraterrestrial life very soon

March 1, 2013

Spotlight

March 2013

Can Animals Decipher Colors and More Questions From Our Readers

Clouds, bluegrass, chipmunks and Picasso round out this month’s batch of questions

March 2013

Brian Skerry Has the World’s Best Job: Ocean Photographer

The freelancer’s new exhibit at the Natural History Museum captures the beauty, and fragility, of sea life

March 2013

How Two Women Ended the Deadly Feather Trade

Birds like the snowy egret were on the brink of extinction, all because of their sought-after plumage

March 2013

There’s More to Celtic Music Than “Danny Boy”

A new album from Smithsonian Folkways will brighten anyone’s St. Patrick’s Day

March 2013

A Visit to the Natonal Zoo’s “Ark of Life”

Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough journeys to Front Royal, Virginia, to find out the latest in animal research

March 2013

Where Does the Tooth Fairy Put All Those Teeth?

A new video introduces kids to the wonders of museums with help from a familiar friend

February 28, 2013

Events March 1-3: A thriller film, a Women’s Suffrage Festival and Influential African American Women

This week, see Nicole Kidman melt down, celebrate women’s rights and learn about great African American women you’ve never heard of

February 28, 2013