How A.I. Can Help Humans Battle Wildfires, From Advanced Camera Systems to Forecasting Models
A variety of new technologies aim to improve wildfire detection and help map the spread of blazes
Six Clever Snakes to Celebrate as We Slither Into the Lunar New Year
These fascinating serpents embody acclaimed qualities including cunning and intelligence
Welcome to the Pyrocene
Human use of fire has produced an era of uncontrolled burning
Eight Natural Phenomena Worth Traveling for in 2025
You won’t regret experiencing bioluminescence, swimming with sperm whales or witnessing the rush of a horizontal waterfall
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
Take a Journey Down Under With These Amazing Photos of Australia
From the outback to the coasts, see 15 images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
How Cleaning Up Harmful Algal Blooms Could Help Fight Climate Change
A company called BlueGreen Water Technologies aims to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while also fighting algae’s toxic effects on people and the environment
How to Use Renaissance Paintings to Improve the Farming of Tomorrow
An arboreal archaeologist roots around the Italian countryside and in centuries-old frescoes for a cornucopia of fruits long forgotten—but still viable to grow and consume
A Los Angeles Photographer Captures the Devastating Fires Threatening His Beloved Community
Ivan Kashinsky has traveled the world for Smithsonian magazine, but when disaster struck earlier this month, he rushed home to point his lens at his own neighborhood
How Scientists and Composers Teamed Up to Create a Stunning Natural Version of Colombia’s National Anthem
A team trekked for two weeks and collected the sounds of birds, frogs, a jaguar and whales in order to make the song
Inside One Scientist’s Quest to Understand Why Climate Change Is Making Europe’s Highest Peak More Dangerous
Geomorphologist and veteran climber Ludovic Ravanel is learning how Mont Blanc is shifting—and sharing his discoveries with the Alpine community
Marlon Brando Wanted to Build a ‘University of the Sea.’ These Scientists Are Bringing the Late Actor’s Vision to Life
On Tetiaroa, a vibrant coral atoll dotted with sandy islets, archaeologists, marine biologists and cultural practitioners are working together to improve understanding of a unique ecosystem
Seven Ways to Explore Alaska’s Endangered Glacial World
With the state’s glaciers retreating at alarming rates, there is no time like now to trek, climb, paddle and fly to see them
The Ten Most Awe-Inspiring Ocean Moments of 2024
From animal journeys across oceans to the discovery of dozens of new species in the deep sea, these stories wowed us
The Ten Most Significant Science Stories of 2024
From a total solar eclipse that captivated our continent to record temperatures that scorched the planet, these were the biggest moments of the year
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
These 15 Majestic Photos Show Just Why Humans Adore Horses
To commemorate the National Day of the Horse, see herds of equine images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
14 Fun Facts About Dragonflies, From Their Lethal Hunting Prowess to Incredible Migratory Feats
The colorful insects can help humans by eating mosquitoes and will gather in mysterious swarms
As Greenland’s Ice Sheet Melts, an Island Town Rises
Geologists are working with local communities to determine how residents can adapt as the area’s sea level, in effect, goes down
From a Motorcycle Revving to a Pig Oinking, Eight Amazing Sounds Made by Frogs
All over the world, different types of frogs call out in various ways to warn others or attract mates
How the Arrival of an Endangered Bird Indicates What’s Possible for the L.A. River
Could the waterway that the city was built around make a comeback?
Scientists Are Crafting Fake Whale Poop and Dumping It in the Ocean
The artificial waste could fertilize the ocean and sequester carbon
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