Smithsonian Snapshot

In a historic event, Smithsonian scientists help probe the sun.

Imagining the future of flight.

The horseshoe bat has excellent echolocation.

Carlos Almaraz is considered a pioneer of the Chicano art movement.

This cell phone helped save a life.

Possibly thinking about the Smithsonian’s birthday…?

“Captain Video” was based on the first TV show to feature spaceflight.

This jellyfish hides in plain sight.

People have enjoyed cute cat photos long before the advent of the internet.

"Red Five Standing By!"

Hey, cool cats, it's Jazz Appreciation Month!

These butterflies illustrate one of thousands of pages detailing natural history in Central America.

For more than 20 years, Suzanne Asbury-Oliver was the only professional woman skywriter in the world.

“Stay tuned for true black hole cinema.”

Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often called the "Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll."

Sculptor and teacher Augusta Savage used her work to challenge discrimination and promote civil and women’s rights.

A cloudless, Jupiter-like planet is discovered by astronomers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.

This small piece of yellow metal is believed to be the first piece of gold discovered in 1848 at Sutter's Mill in California, launching the gold rush.

Peek into the evening of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1865 inauguration celebration.

"I know I parked my Invisible Jet somewhere."

“There have been a lot of problems solved in that dining room over a bowl of gumbo.”

Honoring the Code Talkers who helped win a war.

This stamp depicts actor Bela Lugosi as the vampire Count Dracula. "I am Dracula. I bid you welcome."

In 2015, Oyama became the first woman to win the N-Men Icon Award given to Northern California skaters who have made an impact on the sport.