Pollution | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/pollution/RSS feed for PollutionenTue, 07 Jul 2026 21:15:14 +0000Strange Spheres Washed Ashore on an Australian Beach. Authorities Say They're Probably 'Space Balls'—Empty Fuel Vessels From a Rockethttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/strange-spheres-washed-ashore-on-an-australian-beach-authorities-say-theyre-probably-space-balls-empty-fuel-vessels-from-a-rocket-180989082/The shiny objects—each roughly twice the size of a basketball—began to appear on July 3. Authorities initially worried that they were hazardous but have since determined that they're likely safe bits of space junkTue, 07 Jul 2026 21:15:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/strange-spheres-washed-ashore-on-an-australian-beach-authorities-say-theyre-probably-space-balls-empty-fuel-vessels-from-a-rocket-180989082/Male Bowerbirds in Australian Cities Are Turning Human Trash Into Treasure to Impress Potential Mateshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/male-bowerbirds-in-australian-cities-are-turning-human-trash-into-treasure-to-impress-potential-mates-180988969/Even rural birds prefer human-made objects, such as colored glass and wire, when given the choice between them and natural decorations, like leaves and shells, according to a new studyWed, 17 Jun 2026 15:35:56 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/male-bowerbirds-in-australian-cities-are-turning-human-trash-into-treasure-to-impress-potential-mates-180988969/