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At the Smithsonian

A reconstruction of a new fossil beluga relative, described by Smithsonian scientists, is in the foreground. Its living relatives, the beluga and narwhal, are illustrated left to right in the background. Coloration of the extinct whale is speculative.

Behind-the-Scenes With Curator Nick Pyenson: A New Fossil Whale

Around the Smithsonian, routine work can often reap scientific discovery

Why is the horse so important to Native American tribes? Find out this weekend.

Weekend Events March 9-11: John Carter, Make Your Own Mud Cloth, and A Song for the Horse Nation

This gazelle-shaped wine horn, on view at the Sackler Gallery, was used to impress guests at elaborate Iranian feasts.

What Was It Like to Dine with the Persian Kings?

For the 25th anniversary of the Sackler Gallery, elaborately crafted Iranian metalwork from Arthur Sackler’s original gift are now on display

The common marmoset may be a suitable model for human obesity.

How Marmosets Can Teach Us About Obesity

A new study indicates the small monkeys may help us understand what leads us to put on weight

Karen Lovejoy and the Lovejoygroup perform at the Kogod Courtyard this week.

Events March 6-8: An Amazonian Odyssey, Conservation Clinic, and The Lovejoygroup

This week, take a virtual tour of the Amazon River, learn how to preserve your favorite works of art at home, and enjoy the eclectic jazz of Lovejoygroup

Harry Warnecke shot rare color photographs of many cultural icons, including Louis Armstrong.

Celebrities of the Past, Now in “Vibrant Color” at the Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery showcases Harry Warnecke’s early color photographs of famous faces from the 1930s and ‘40s

Celebrate Debussy's 150th birthday with the Calefax Quintet

Weekend Events March 3-5: Calefax Quintet, Women’s History Month, and Nowruz

According to mineralogist Jeffrey E. Post, having the Hope Diamond is like having a black polished table in your living room—every bit of dust shows.

Why Do Meteor Showers Occur About the Same Time Every Year and Other Questions From Our Readers

In the latest edition of Ask Smithsonian, we sent your burning questions to the Institution’s curators

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The Conversation

Readers Respond to the January Issue

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Leaping Frogs on Leap Day

In honor of Leap Day 2012, learn a bit about how frogs leap

Jesús Rafael Soto, "Blue Penetrable," ©2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris.

Treat Your Senses to Hirshhorn’s New Suprasensorial Exhibition

Follow glass artist Ginny Ruffner through trial and triumph in the documentary "A Not So Still Life."

Events Feb 28-March 1: Paradox of Liberty, A Not So Still Life, and Perspectives on “Limits to Growth”

This week, learn about slavery at Monticello, meet artist Ginny Ruffner, and join experts for a day of discussion on sustainability

An artist's rendering of GJ1214b, orbiting a red dwarf star

Scientists Discover a Waterworld Just 40 Light Years Away

An entirely new type of planet is made up mostly of water

Steven M. Cummings' "Artuare" is one of the exhibitions in the Anacostia Community Museum's series, "Call and Response: Community and Creativity."

Local Artists Blend Brand and Art at the Anacostia Community Museum

“Artuare” and “Conversations in the Contemporary” blur the definitions of commercial and fine art

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Breaking Ground

Shovels Break Ground for the New National Museum of African American History and Culture

Dignitaries plunge their shovels into a small rectangle of dirt, marking the groundbreaking for the 19th Smithsonian museum

Secretary Clough, former First Lady Laura Bush, museum director Lonnie Bunch and other dignitaries break ground for the new museum

Shovels Break Ground for a New Smithsonian Museum

President Barack Obama presided over the start of a new museum devoted to African American history and culture

Shiva Ayyadurai's 1979 diagram of his email program

A Piece of Email History Comes to the American History Museum

A groundbreaking early email program, written by a high school student in 1979, helps tell the story of this crucial technology’s history

Artists and curators of the Hirshhorn's "Suprasensorial" exhibit will discuss their installations on Thursday.

Events Feb 21-23: Youth Poetry Slam, Echoes of the Silk Road, and Suprasensorial

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Weekend Events Feb 17-19: Gallery Talk, Presidential Family Fun Day, and a Tour with the Artist

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President Obama to Speak At Groundbreaking for African American History and Culture Museum

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Smithsonian’s newest museum, scheduled to open in 2015, will feature Obama, Laura Bush and others

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