At the Smithsonian | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/smithsonian-institution/RSS feed for At the SmithsonianenWed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000These Small, Stealthy Bats Use High-Frequency Vocalizations to Keep Their Chatter Out of the Range of Predators and Preyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-small-stealthy-bats-use-high-frequency-vocalizations-to-keep-their-chatter-out-of-the-range-of-predators-and-prey-180989550/New research shows that proboscis bats communicate with each other and echolocate at higher frequencies than scientists expected. This could help the animals sneak up to their targets and evade creatures that want to eat themWed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-small-stealthy-bats-use-high-frequency-vocalizations-to-keep-their-chatter-out-of-the-range-of-predators-and-prey-180989550/For Years, the Smithsonian Strove to Bring the African American History and Culture Museum to the National Mall. Now, It Celebrates a Decade as a Beacon of Understanding, Community and Resiliencehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/for-years-the-smithsonian-strove-to-bring-the-african-american-history-and-culture-museum-to-the-national-mall-now-it-celebrates-a-decade-as-a-beacon-of-understanding-community-and-resilience-180989535/The museum lovingly called the "Blacksonian" chronicles the past and present and envisions the future to tell the stories of Black life in AmericaTue, 22 Sep 2026 17:55:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/for-years-the-smithsonian-strove-to-bring-the-african-american-history-and-culture-museum-to-the-national-mall-now-it-celebrates-a-decade-as-a-beacon-of-understanding-community-and-resilience-180989535/Did Thomas Jefferson Father Sally Hemings' Children? After More Than a Decade of Research, the Answer Is Finally Firmly in Handhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/did-thomas-jefferson-father-sally-hemings-children-after-more-than-decade-research-answer-finally-firmly-hand-180989331/A lock of hair, advances in genetic science and a community of descendants all contributed to solving an American mysteryTue, 22 Sep 2026 04:01:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/did-thomas-jefferson-father-sally-hemings-children-after-more-than-decade-research-answer-finally-firmly-hand-180989331/Active Supermassive Black Holes May Be Engines of Star Formation, Not Just Destruction, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/active-supermassive-black-holes-may-be-engines-of-star-formation-not-just-destruction-study-suggests-180989517/Scientists mapped out the structure of nine bright cores of galaxies located near the Milky Way and revealed common patterns that could shed light on how the universe evolvedMon, 21 Sep 2026 17:26:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/active-supermassive-black-holes-may-be-engines-of-star-formation-not-just-destruction-study-suggests-180989517/In the Aftermath of 9/11, Milton Glaser, Creator of the 'I Love NY' Logo, Declared That He Loved New York City 'More Than Ever'https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/in-the-aftermath-of-911-milton-glaser-creator-of-the-i-love-ny-logo-declared-that-he-loved-new-york-city-more-than-ever-180989475/The graphic designer revamped his world-famous emblem in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The updated design underscored the city's resilience in the face of tragedyFri, 11 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/in-the-aftermath-of-911-milton-glaser-creator-of-the-i-love-ny-logo-declared-that-he-loved-new-york-city-more-than-ever-180989475/Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III Announces Retirement as Head of the Smithsonian After 38 Years of Service to the Institutionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/secretary-lonnie-bunch-announces-retirement-head-smithsonian-38-years-service-institution-180989460/With a storied career dating back to the 1970s, Bunch leaves a remarkable legacy, most notably the founding of the National Museum of African American History and CultureTue, 08 Sep 2026 16:18:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/secretary-lonnie-bunch-announces-retirement-head-smithsonian-38-years-service-institution-180989460/Kermit the Frog Was Just Trying to Put on a Variety Show. Fifty Years Later, the Muppets Are Some of the Biggest Stars in Television Historyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/kermit-the-frog-was-just-trying-to-put-on-a-variety-show-fifty-years-later-the-muppets-are-some-of-the-biggest-stars-in-television-history-180989451/The first episode of Jim Henson's "The Muppet Show" premiered in the United Kingdom on September 5, 1976. Enthusiasm for the eclectic ensemble has endured ever sinceFri, 04 Sep 2026 19:21:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/kermit-the-frog-was-just-trying-to-put-on-a-variety-show-fifty-years-later-the-muppets-are-some-of-the-biggest-stars-in-television-history-180989451/To Capture the Beauty and Wonder of Flight, These Celebrated Artists Created Spectacular Visions of Astronauts, Aviators, Rocket Launches and the Moonhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/to-capture-the-beauty-and-wonder-of-flight-these-celebrated-artists-created-spectacular-visions-of-astronauts-aviators-rocket-launches-and-the-moon-180989437/At the National Air and Space Museum, a recently opened gallery space features artworks by Norman Rockwell, Alma Thomas, Francisco Goya and other luminariesThu, 03 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/to-capture-the-beauty-and-wonder-of-flight-these-celebrated-artists-created-spectacular-visions-of-astronauts-aviators-rocket-launches-and-the-moon-180989437/Yayoi Kusama Created Fantastical 'Infinity Mirror Rooms' That Became the Art World's Most Famous Backdrops. Her Work Spanned Counterculture to the Cosmoshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/yayoi-kusama-created-fantastical-infinity-mirror-rooms-that-became-the-most-famous-backdrops-of-the-art-world-her-work-spanned-from-counterculture-to-cosmos-180989409/The Japanese artist, who died on August 14 at 97, sought solace from hallucinations in her art, developing a visual language of polka dots, pumpkins and mirrors that entranced the worldThu, 27 Aug 2026 15:59:17 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/yayoi-kusama-created-fantastical-infinity-mirror-rooms-that-became-the-most-famous-backdrops-of-the-art-world-her-work-spanned-from-counterculture-to-cosmos-180989409/In 1952, You Could Buy a Pack of Baseball Cards That Included This Mickey Mantle at a Corner Store. Today, You Would Probably Have to Go to an Auction Househttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/pack-baseball-cards-included-mickey-mantle-corner-store-today-probably-sothebys-180989281/The rookie card of the future Yankees legend once sold for pennies. But, even with garish colorization, it became a treasured symbol of the golden age of the sport that is now valued in the millionsWed, 26 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/pack-baseball-cards-included-mickey-mantle-corner-store-today-probably-sothebys-180989281/How Did Medieval Builders Construct Complex Cathedrals Before Advanced Mathematics? And More Questions From Our Readershttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-did-medieval-builders-construct-complex-cathedrals-before-advanced-mathematics-and-more-questions-from-our-readersyouve-got-questions-weve-got-experts-180989286/You’ve got questions. We’ve got expertsMon, 24 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-did-medieval-builders-construct-complex-cathedrals-before-advanced-mathematics-and-more-questions-from-our-readersyouve-got-questions-weve-got-experts-180989286/See the Cutest Photos of Three Red Panda Cubs Born at the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute This Yearhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/see-the-cutest-photos-of-three-red-panda-cubs-born-at-the-smithsonians-conservation-biology-institute-this-year-180989351/The trio of cubs—including a pair of twins—are healthy and being cared for by their mothers. Their births represent a conservation milestone for the endangered speciesWed, 19 Aug 2026 15:38:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/see-the-cutest-photos-of-three-red-panda-cubs-born-at-the-smithsonians-conservation-biology-institute-this-year-180989351/Way Bandy Was One of the Most Influential Makeup Artists in the World. He Challenged Stigmas in the 1980s by Making Sure His Death From AIDS Was Widely Knownhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/way-bandy-was-one-of-the-most-influential-makeup-artists-in-the-world-he-challenged-stigmas-in-the-1980s-by-making-sure-his-death-from-aids-was-widely-known-180989330/He instructed the executors of his will to make his specific cause of death from the disease public during a time when many others feared doing soThu, 13 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/way-bandy-was-one-of-the-most-influential-makeup-artists-in-the-world-he-challenged-stigmas-in-the-1980s-by-making-sure-his-death-from-aids-was-widely-known-180989330/How Artist Nick Cave Memorializes His Ancestors Through ‘Mammoth’ Workhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-artist-nick-cave-memorializes-his-ancestors-through-mammoth-work-180989262/An exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum spotlights how everyday objects can serve as the foundation for artistic expressionTue, 04 Aug 2026 20:50:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-artist-nick-cave-memorializes-his-ancestors-through-mammoth-work-180989262/These Shark Look-Alikes Have Long Confounded Fishers and Scientists on the East Coast. Tracking Where They Migrate Could Help Clear the Confusionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-shark-look-alikes-have-long-confounded-fishers-and-scientists-on-the-east-coast-tracking-where-they-migrate-could-help-clear-the-confusion-180989210/Researchers are tagging and tracking spinner sharks to map out their geographic distribution, because they've seen that the range of the very similar blacktip shark has shiftedThu, 30 Jul 2026 19:50:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-shark-look-alikes-have-long-confounded-fishers-and-scientists-on-the-east-coast-tracking-where-they-migrate-could-help-clear-the-confusion-180989210/