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Karen Osborn, invertebrate zoologist and curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, uses photography to help people better understand the hard-to-see marine animals she studies, like this deep-sea jellyfish Voragonema pedunculata.

Smithsonian Voices

Why Science Needs Art

From teaching curious museumgoers to adding creativity to the scientific process, art thrives at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

"I'm looking at connections between human, animal and environmental health to understand how human impact on ecosystems can affect us," says Sabrina Sholts.

Smithsonian Voices

Here’s Why This Smithsonian Scientist Studies Ancient Pathogens

As a biological anthropologist focused on health, diseases are part of Sabrina Sholts’ specialty

Folklorists remain alert to the culture (non-biological) of the coronavirus, even as we conduct our research while quarantined. Our research will certainly evolve as the pandemic itself evolves.

Covid-19

How to Detect the Age-Old Traditions of Folklore in Today’s COVID-19 Misinformation

Smithsonian folklorist James Deutsch says the fast spread of stories and memes are cultural expressions that build cohesion and support

Researchers from the Smithsonian's Global Health Program found six new coronaviruses in bats in Myanmar.

Smithsonian Scientists Discover Six New Coronaviruses in Bats in Myanmar

The new viruses are not harmful to humans or closely related to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19

Good news is out there, if you look for it. For instance, just this month scientists announced that we are on our way to recovering oceans by 2050.

Smithsonian Voices

Here’s How to Find Optimism in This Moment of Fear and Uncertainty

The Smithsonian’s Earth Optimism Summit will now stream online starting this Earth Day; tune in and be inspired

Echo, a five-year-old cheetah and first-time mother, gave birth to four cubs on April 8.

Watch Live as the National Zoo’s Cheetah Gives Birth to a Litter of Cubs

Congratulations to first-time mother Echo the cheetah!

A family holds a Passover seder in 1970

Why Is This Year’s Passover Seder Different From All Other Years’?

A Smithsonian folklorist examines Jewish humor in the midst of a pandemic

On April 17, 1970, the parachutes carrying the Apollo 13 spacecraft and its crew cleared the clouds and the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

How the Crew of the Damaged Apollo 13 Came Home

Using the lunar module as a lifeboat and employing techniques never before considered, the astronauts’ ordeal ended triumphantly

Red siskins, (above: a trapped female rescued at a local market by wildlife authorities) listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, face threats from habitat loss, and poaching for the pet trade.

Heavily Trafficked Songbirds Have a Path Back to Resiliency

Researchers see promise in recruiting red siskin pet traders as conservation partners

From L to R: Ellis Marsalis Jr., Bucky Pizzarelli and Wallace Roney

Covid-19

COVID-19 Claims the Lives of Three Jazz Greats

Pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis Jr., trumpeter Wallace Roney, and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli succumbed to complications caused by the novel coronavirus

The face of a sweat bee (Megalopta amoena) that is half female (viewer's left, bee's right) and half male (viewer's right, bee's left)

Meet the Bee With a Body That’s Half Male, Half Female

So-called gynandromorphs are rare, but they can teach us a lot about development and evolution

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Smithsonian Voices

The Art of the Teleconference

Transform your Zoom virtual background or computer desktop into a work of art

The Wisdom of the Universe (detail) by Christi Belcourt (Michif), 2014

Women Who Shaped History

Native Women Artists Reclaim Their Narrative

The first major exhibition of its kind, “Hearts of Our People,” boasts 82 pieces from 115 Native women across North America

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery offers a free audio tour of its presidential portraits.

Virtual Travel

Explore World-Class Museums From Home With Smartify’s Free Audio Tours

The app features a database of some two million artworks housed at more than 120 venues

In a release the Zoo reported that last week: “Keepers noticed that Ambika’s right-front leg, which bore the brunt of her weight, developed a curve that weakened her ability to stand. Though she had some good days and some bad days, staff grew concerned when she chose not to explore her habitat."

National Zoo Mourns Death of Asian Elephant

The 72-year-old animal was the third oldest in the North American population

How should you discuss a topic as scary and complicated as a pandemic with children?

Covid-19

How to Talk With Children About COVID-19

An early childhood education expert provides tips about how to explain the ongoing pandemic to children

Smithsonian Voices

Native American Photographers Develop the Stories of Their People

Through their images, these artists combat the stereotypes perpetuated by American history and culture

In the U.S., although Humboldt’s name has vanished, his ideas have not (above: Humboldt in His Library (detail) by Eduard Hildebrandt, 1856).

Alexander von Humboldt

Who Was Alexander von Humboldt?

Smithsonian curator Eleanor Jones Harvey explains why this revolutionary 19th-century thought leader is due for a reconsideration

Al Worden visits his Apollo 15 spacesuit at the National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian Voices

Remembering Al Worden

Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Alfred “Al” Worden, an aviator, engineer and storyteller passed away on March 18, 2020

The cover story of the debut issue was about elephant breeding in Sri Lanka.

Smithsonian Magazine Turns 50

When this publication first appeared five decades ago, it was happy to join the fray

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