Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Why the Apollo 11 Crew Was Quarantined Upon Return Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

The crew of Apollo 11 had made history by landing on the moon and coming back to Earth in one piece. But before the celebrations could begin, they would have to spend some time in quarantine.

Did a Porcupine Kill This Young Lion? Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

Who or what killed this yearling lion? The range of possibilities run from a run-in with a porcupine to a fatal encounter with another adult lion – or was there another explanation?

Surreal Footage of British Life Under Nazi Occupation Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

It’s 1941 and the Nazis are in full control of the British island of Alderney. They begin to construct fortifications to protect their grip on the Channel Islands – often with slave labor.

The Best Time for a Male Vervet to Join a Troop Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

A new male has picked the wrong time to join a local troop of vervet monkeys. He’s hoping to be accepted within their ranks – but it’s up to the alpha to make the final call.

These Chicks Have to get Past a Beach of Hostile Seals Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

A group of common murre chicks on Tyuleny Island, each around three weeks old, must navigate a dangerous obstacle to reach the sea: a beach packed with hostile fur seals, each one at least 40 times heavier than they are.

The Tragic Side Effects of a Baboon Leadership Battle Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

Leadership challenges in baboon troops are between the alpha male and a rival outsider. But tragically, some of the younger troop members can end up as collateral damage.

This State-of-the-Art Aircraft Carrier Relies on Old Technology Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

The USS Vinson is one of the most advanced and sophisticated aircraft carriers around. Yet some of its key functions are powered by a 300-year old technology: steam.

These British Fighter Planes Ruled the Skies of Dunkirk May 27, 2019

Show notes

It’s May 1940, and high above the skies of Dunkirk, a squadron of Spitfires is desperately trying to hold off as many German Messerschmitt as they can. The lives of 300,000 British troops depend on it.

This Magical Train Ride Was Used in a Harry Potter Film May 20, 2019

Show notes

Just a few miles from Ben Nevis mountain is the start of one of the most breathtaking train journeys in the world – so spectacular, in fact, that it was adapted by the Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts Express.

This Unpleasant Royal Job Came with a Fancy Title May 20, 2019

Show notes

It may sound like an auspicious title; but the ‘groom of the stool’ was anything but. Simply put, it was a role that entailed monitoring and assisting with Henry VIII’s bowel movements.