Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Fascinating Footage of Naked Mole Rat Surviving Without Oxygen Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

Naked mole rats are able to live on low oxygen and can even survive without it - conditions that would kill most mammals. The big question is how have they evolved to do that?

How a Slave Girl's Confession Sparked a Witch Hunt in Salem Feb 18, 2019

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In 1692, an Indian slave in Massachusetts admitted to being an agent of Satan, and to casting spells on her master's family. This admission would kick off the horrific events known as the Salem witch trials.

These Swimming Pigs Live a Cushy Lifestyle in the Bahamas Feb 11, 2019

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Bahama feral pigs were once domestic pigs let loose by local farms. Through cunning and resourcefulness, they've continued to thrive in the wild - and fuel Bahaman tourism along the way.

Was Flight MH17 Hit by a Meteor? Feb 11, 2019

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Without access to the crash sites of MH17, which went down on July 17, 2014, investigators can't definitively say why the crash happened. So they begin to consider all kinds of theories - including a meteor strike.

Data Reveals When Birds Are Most Likely to Hit a Plane Feb 04, 2019

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Since 1990, the National Wildlife Strike Database has reported more than 200,000 bird strikes on commercial planes. This data tells us when planes are most vulnerable to these types of collisions.

A Surprisingly Tense Battle Between a U.S. Sub and a Fishing Boat Feb 04, 2019

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A fishing trawler may seem like an easy target for a powerful U.S. submarine - but these were the early days of the Pacific War, and even Japanese civilian boats were armed to the teeth.

Stunning Artifacts Found in a Charred Roman Temple Jan 28, 2019

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When Boudica's forces destroyed the Temple of Claudius, the devastation was ruinous. Ironically, the fire actually helped preserve many of the contents - often to a level that astonishes modern archaeologists.

Finding Out Why TransAsia Flight 222 Crashed Jan 28, 2019

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Why did TransAsia Flight 222 veer off course and crash a mile short of Magong Airport? An examination of the wreckage doesn't provide the answer - but it does convince investigators to rule one theory out.

This Marilyn Monroe Dress Stole the Show at JFK's Birthday Party Jan 21, 2019

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Marilyn Monroe's breathless rendition of 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' in 1962, has passed into legend. But it was her silk dress that would go on to become a priceless piece of Marilyn memorabilia.

What Caused This 1980 Shipwreck to Tear Apart? Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

On September 9, 1980, the MV Derbyshire went down in the Pacific Ocean - the largest British ship ever lost at sea. A team of investigators send down a remote vehicle camera to find out what happened.