Ask Smithsonian: Why Does Rain Have A Distinctive Smell?

Summertime humidity—and our own memories—help create the conditions for how we perceive the sharp, fresh odor of a rain storm

Ask Smithsonian: What Makes Skunk Spray Smell So Terrible?

When the omnivorous cat-size mammals take aim, the malodorous spray can hit with pin-point accuracy up to 20 feet away

Ask Smithsonian: What Happens When You Get a Concussion?

It’s scary what we don’t know about the lasting effects after a knock to the noggin

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Ask Smithsonian: How Many Rings Does Saturn Have?

The age, origin and purpose of Saturn’s rings have mystified scientists since the days of Galileo

Ask Smithsonian: Are Cats Domesticated?

There is little genetic difference between a tabby and a wild cat, so scientists think the house cat is only domestic when it wants to be

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What Are the Biggest Waves in Recorded History?

How do waves even get this big?

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Why Do We Yawn and Why Is It Contagious?

Pinpointing exactly why we yawn is a tough task, but the latest research suggests that our sleepy sighs help to regulate the temperature of our brains

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How Many Stradivariuses Exist and More Questions From Our Readers

Why octopuses use tools, preserving flight plans, famous portraits and more

How do you ensure documents left in a time capsule will be legible after 100 years?

How Do You Keep Items Safe in a Time Capsule and More Questions From Our Readers

Also learn more about the jaw harp, why it takes three days to get to the Moon and more

Water crystallizes into ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time, but not always.

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At What Temperature Does Water Freeze?

The answer is far more complicated than it first appears—water doesn’t always turn to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit

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