Six previously unknown coronaviruses were recently discovered in a cave in Myanmar. Here’s why scientists aren’t panicking about this.

We’re Discovering New Coronaviruses All the Time (and That’s OK!) (2:35)

Why do bats appear so resilient to virus-based diseases that would cause serious harm to humans? One theory ties it back to its evolutionary acquisition of an unusual capability in mammals: flight.

Why Bats Are Better Than Humans at Dealing With Viruses (2:40)

The eruption of Santorini in 1615 B.C. covered the town of Akrotiri with meters of volcanic debris. Today, archaeologists are in the process of excavating it–and marveling at its remarkably preserved ruins.

This Ancient Greek Town Suffered the Same Fate as Pompeii (3:19)

How do you build an elevator into a side of a mountain so remote that heavy machinery couldn’t be delivered there? For the Chinese government, the answer was both obvious and incredible: They built it by hand.

Everything About This Elevator in the Side of a Mountain Is Stunning (1:54)

The legendary archery of Odysseus inspires a modern-day challenge: Can a horn-and-sinew bow built to ancient Greek standards outperform a state-of-the-art bow with a scope lens?

How Would Odysseus’ Bow Fare Versus a State-of-the-Art Modern One? (3:36)

When you’ve paid over $75 million for a luxury apartment in this New York skyscraper, you also get state-of-the-art protection against winds. Left unchecked, these can be powerful enough to sway the entire structure!

How to Stop a New York Skyscraper From Swaying (1:37)

The eruption of Santorini in 1615 B.C. covered the town of Akrotiri with meters of volcanic debris. Today, archaeologists are in the process of excavating it–and marveling at its remarkably preserved ruins.

This Ancient Greek Town Suffered the Same Fate as Pompeii (3:19)

How do you build an elevator into a side of a mountain so remote that heavy machinery couldn’t be delivered there? For the Chinese government, the answer was both obvious and incredible: They built it by hand.

Everything About This Elevator in the Side of a Mountain Is Stunning (1:54)

The legendary archery of Odysseus inspires a modern-day challenge: Can a horn-and-sinew bow built to ancient Greek standards outperform a state-of-the-art bow with a scope lens?

How Would Odysseus’ Bow Fare Versus a State-of-the-Art Modern One? (3:36)

The legendary archery of Odysseus inspires a modern-day challenge: Can a horn-and-sinew bow built to ancient Greek standards outperform a state-of-the-art bow with a scope lens?

How Would Odysseus’ Bow Fare Versus a State-of-the-Art Modern One? (3:36)

Inspired by Odysseus, historian Bettany Hughes is embarking on a journey through the Greek Islands. But at the island of Naxos, a different Greek hero appears to be calling: Dionysius, the God of wine and good times.

This Greek Island Has Been Partying for 2,500 Years (3:51)

Our Native Daughters is a group of four renowned black musicians determined to tell their own history through folk music. The result is a musical work that exudes power and truth.

Sneak Peek: Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters (1:27)

The eruption of Santorini in 1615 B.C. covered the town of Akrotiri with meters of volcanic debris. Today, archaeologists are in the process of excavating it–and marveling at its remarkably preserved ruins.

This Ancient Greek Town Suffered the Same Fate as Pompeii (3:19)

The legendary archery of Odysseus inspires a modern-day challenge: Can a horn-and-sinew bow built to ancient Greek standards outperform a state-of-the-art bow with a scope lens?

How Would Odysseus’ Bow Fare Versus a State-of-the-Art Modern One? (3:36)

Constantine's death would drive a crack through the Roman Empire, splitting it into West and East. Over the next several hundred years, parts of it would even fall to foreign invaders. But a new capital would rise to take its place: Constantinople.

Constantine's Death Threatened to Split the Roman Empire (3:16)

Six previously unknown coronaviruses were recently discovered in a cave in Myanmar. Here’s why scientists aren’t panicking about this.

We’re Discovering New Coronaviruses All the Time (and That’s OK!) (2:35)

Why do bats appear so resilient to virus-based diseases that would cause serious harm to humans? One theory ties it back to its evolutionary acquisition of an unusual capability in mammals: flight.

Why Bats Are Better Than Humans at Dealing With Viruses (2:40)

A pair of otter cub twins are starting to venture out into the world, fending and hunting for themselves. The female cubling is the first to taste success, in the form of a protein-rich scorpion fish.

These Twin Otter Pups Are Learning How to Adult (1:30)

Gasp! The answer will amaze you.

Ask Smithsonian: How Long Can a Person Hold Their Breath? (1:32)

The science of earwax in under a minute

Ask Smithsonian: What's the Point of Earwax? (1:05)

Mans best friend is also one of his oldest.

Ask Smithsonian: When Did People Start Keeping Pets? (1:05)

Lil Nas X explains the origins of his diamond-certified crossover hit, ‘Old Town Road.' Video by Adam Grossman | Good Dog Media

Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Lil Nas X (3:04)

Medical researchers Ewelina Mamcarz and Stephen Gottschalk detail the science behind the gene therapy they invented to help children with “bubble boy disease,” or severe combined immunodeficiency. Video by Adam Grossman | Good Dog Media

Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Ewelina Mamcarz and Stephen Gottschalk (3:32)

“In our world, nothing really is impossible. Everything at best is improbable,” says Alex Kipman, as he discusses the holographic, augmented reality technology his team at Microsoft is pioneering. Video by Adam Grossman | Good Dog Media

Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Alex Kipman (2:45)

Climb into the guts of a hovercraft, as a team of salvage experts, led by a former NASA engineer, disassemble and cut through this iconic and unique vehicle.

Take a Look Inside One of the Most Unusual Vehicles Ever (2:43)

Marc Goodman has spent a career in law enforcement and technology. He has served as a street police officer, senior adviser to Interpol and futurist-in-residence with the FBI. As the founder of the Future Crimes Institute and the Chair for Policy, Law, and Ethics at Silicon Valleys Singularity University, he continues to investigate the intriguing and often terrifying intersection of science and security, uncovering nascent threats and combating the darker sides of technology

DO NOT PUBLISH Future Is Here Festival 2015: Marc Goodman, Chair for Policy and Law at Singularity University (17:19)

Greg Henderson is the founder, CEO and chief visionary for Arx Pax. Greg began his career in the military as an Airborne Ranger, serving with the 101st Airborne and 7th Infantry. He graduated from West Point with a B.S in Engineering, and received a Master of Architecture degree from Berkeley. That said, what Greg succinctly envisioned with Arx Pax was a new way to employ an unexploited technology in applications that others did not see. He labeled this epiphany: Magnetic Field Architecture (MFA). Its a big dream on a one-of-a-kind technology that will change the way the world works, plays, builds and lives. All of us here at Arx Pax (and HENDO) passionately believe in its possibility, its potentialand its promise. Which is why the team Greg and Jill have assembled at Arx Pax matters so much

DO NOT PUBLISH Future Is Here Festival 2015: Greg Henderson, Hendo Hoverboard Co-Founder (11:03)