Topic

Adventure & Exploration

A collection of 28 issues

Before Columbus: How Genetic Evidence Revealed a 1200 CE Meeting Between Polynesians and Native Americans

Stunning genetic evidence reveals Polynesians and Native Americans met around 1200 CE, nearly 300 years before Columbus. This single contact event, likely initiated by Polynesian voyagers, left a lasting genetic legacy across the Pacific and rewrites our understanding of ancient migration.

Riding Invisible Waves to the Edge of Space: The Unpowered Glider That Flew Higher Than a Spy Plane

The Perlan II, an unpowered glider, holds the astonishing world record for the highest subsonic flight. It soared over 76,000 feet by 'surfing' rare atmospheric waves, pushing the boundaries of aviation and conducting vital research at the edge of space without burning a single drop of fuel.

The Great Race of 1908: How an American Car Won the 'Around the World' Race by Finishing Second

In 1908, six cars embarked on an insane 22,000-mile race from New York to Paris. Battling blizzards and roadless terrain, the American Thomas Flyer won the 169-day ordeal, but only after the German team that finished first was penalized for taking a shortcut.

Vanished for 147 Years: The Enduring Mystery of the Aru Flying Fox

The Aru flying fox has been a ghost since 1877. Known from a single museum specimen, this large Indonesian bat is listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct). Its 147-year absence fuels a lingering question: is it hiding in dense jungles, or has it vanished forever?

The Botanist Who Fooled the World: Jeanne Baret's Secret Circumnavigation

In 1766, French botanist Jeanne Baret disguised herself as a man to join a naval expedition. Braving immense danger, she collected thousands of plant specimens and became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, her incredible story of deception and discovery long hidden from history.

Beyond Marilyn Monroe: The Quirky World of Britain's 'Marilyns' and 'Munros'

In Britain, a 'Marilyn' isn't a person but a hill with a prominence over 150m, a pun on the more famous 'Munro'—a Scottish mountain over 3,000ft. Discover the fascinating hobby of 'peak bagging' and the unique classifications that define the British landscape.

The Boy with 18 Names: A Story of Hope Aboard an Irish Famine Ship

Amid the horrors of the Irish Famine, the ship Jeanie Johnston had a perfect safety record. On one voyage, a baby was born and given 18 names by the passengers and crew—a powerful symbol of community and hope in a time of despair. This is the story of Nicholas Johnston Reilly.

Drone Submarine Reveals Monumental, Hidden World Under Antarctica's Ice

In early 2023, the unmanned submarine 'Ran' mapped the seafloor beneath West Antarctica's Dotson Ice Shelf for the first time. The survey revealed colossal, 1,300-foot-long ridges and intricate ice formations, offering crucial new data on ice melt and future sea-level rise.

The Lost Mausoleum: Alexandria's Centuries-Long Quest for Alexander the Great's Tomb

For centuries, the tomb of Alexander the Great, once a famous pilgrimage site in Alexandria, has been lost to history. Since the 19th century, over 100 official excavations have tried and failed to find it, making it one of archaeology's most enduring and captivating mysteries.