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What is so great about the Smithsonian?
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.
Has anyone stolen from the Smithsonian?
In 1980, the FBI announced that a gold-and-diamond snuffb ox made for Catherine the Great, stolen from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in 1979, had been stripped of its diamonds and melted down in 1980. Only 25 diamonds were recovered from the more than 200 that had been encrusted on the stolen box.
What kind of research does the Smithsonian do?
The Smithsonian is the largest museum and research complex in the world. While its museums are visible and well-known, the Smithsonian’s many research centers devoted to art, astrophysics, endangered species, environmental sciences, history, marine biology, object conservation, and tropical biology are less recognized.
Is the Smithsonian Institute a real place?
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.
Who is Smithsonian named for?
James Smithson
The Smithsonian Institution was established with funds from James Smithson (1765–1829), a British scientist who left his estate to the United States to found “at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” On August 10, 1846, the U.S. Senate …
Does the Smithsonian conduct research?
The Smithsonian is one of the world’s foremost research centers in science, the arts, and the humanities. In addition to research pursued by the museums, the following facilities specialize in areas of inquiry spanning the globe and the farthest reaches of the universe.
What is the mission of the Smithsonian?
The Smithsonian Institution is a public trust whose mission is the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The Smithsonian was established by the United States Congress to carry out the fiduciary responsibility assumed by the United States in accepting the bequest of James Smithson to create the Smithsonian Institution.
What do you need to know about visiting the Smithsonian?
The Smithsonian is doing its part to mitigate transmission intensity, and we ask you, our visitors, to do the same and help us reduce the spread of COVID-19. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the Smithsonian, including instructions about wearing face coverings and social distancing.
What are the research centers of the Smithsonian?
Research Centers. 1 Archives of American Art. With over 16 million items in its continually growing collections, the Archives of American Art is the world’s largest and 2 Museum Conservation Institute. 3 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. 4 Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. 5 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
How are citizen scientists helping the serenegeti Lion Project?
Part of the Serenegeti Lion Project, Snapshot Serengeti needs the help of citizen scientists to classify millions of camera trap images of species traveling with the wildebeest migration. Classify all kinds of monkeys with Chimp&See.
What was the purpose of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory?
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), founded in 1890, is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution with the mission to advance our knowledge and understanding of the universe through research and education in astronomy and astrophysics.