A Gold Watch That Belonged to Astronaut Neil Armstrong Sold for $2.1 Million at Auction
The commemorative timepiece is similar to the one that Armstrong and other NASA astronauts wore in space
In the 1980s, This Special Camera Helped Turn Astronauts Into Cinematographers to Shoot the First Imax Movie Ever Filmed in Space
The groundbreaking work, “The Dream Is Alive,” celebrates its 40th anniversary this year
How Do Space Programs Get Their Names? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
A Century Ago, Pioneering Astrophysicist Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin Showed Us What Stars Are Made Of
The trailblazing Harvard scientist, who documented the dominance of hydrogen and helium in stars, is still inspiring researchers today
Two Trailblazing Spacewalks in 1965 Opened the Door to Decades of Astronauts Pushing the Limits of Their Capabilities
Since those early steps, extravehicular activity has helped provide the solutions to many problems that astronauts face in space
Could This Space Oven Allow Astronauts to Finally Cook in Space?
An aerospace engineer has invented an appliance that can whip up quiches, pizzas and more in a zero-gravity environment
The Otherwise Unremarkable ‘Rock Boxes’ That Brought Pieces of the Moon Back to Earth
Far from ordinary, it took a cutting-edge NASA design to safeguard these treasures during the Apollo missions
Are Humans the Only Species to Drive Others to Extinction? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
Nineteen New and Revamped Smithsonian Shows to See in 2025—Plus One Bonus That Will Make You Go Wild for Nature
This year, the Institution’s museums are bringing to the public everything from the flair of state fairs to the artwork of Grandma Moses
Ten Must-See Museums Opening Around the World in 2025
New institutions dedicated to artificial intelligence, West African art, barbeque and more are expected to welcome visitors this year
The Head of the Smithsonian Talks About America’s 250th, Why Experts Still Matter and What to Expect From the Institution in 2025
In an extensive interview, Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III spoke on the current political climate, the process of returning human remains from the Institution’s collections, the awe-inspiring scope of Smithsonian science and much more
Did Colonial Americans Wear Wristwatches? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
Eleven Fascinating Acquisitions That Joined the Smithsonian’s Vast Collections in 2024
This year, the Institution collected everything from the stunning shell of an extinct cephalopod to a Blue Origin rocket booster
The Best Books of 2024, as Chosen by Smithsonian Scholars
Staff at the Institution pick their favorite reads of the year, including riveting memoirs, fascinating true histories and fun fiction
This Stunning New Atlas Explores Humanity’s Ancient Relationship With Space and the Universe
Written by the former chief historian of NASA, the book examines the evolution of our cosmic understanding—from early civilizations to the present day
Historic New Shepard Rocket Booster and Crew Capsule Will Go on Display at the Air and Space Museum
The two artifacts donated by Blue Origin achieved record-breaking feats and will extend the museum’s story of trailblazing space travel into the present
Thousands of Moonquakes Rocked the Apollo Landing Sites in Less Than a Decade
A new study found 22,000 previously unidentified lunar seismic events recorded between 1969 and 1977
Apollo Astronauts Left American Flags, Boots and Even Poop on the Moon. Here’s Why These Artifacts Matter
Fifty-five years after the first human lunar landing, scholars and experts are looking to preserve the past as more nations and companies undertake moon missions
Here’s What We’ve Learned About Saturn Since Cassini Entered Its Orbit 20 Years Ago
The Cassini-Huygens mission increased our understanding of the planet’s rings and moons
Tired of Diplomacy as Usual, This Congressman Flew Solo to Promote World Peace
Representative Peter F. Mack’s soaring diplomatic ambitions made aviation history as he traveled through Europe, South Asia, Japan and then across the vast Pacific Ocean
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