March 17, 2021

Wage War on Moss Balls There are several ways to wreck a moss ball. You might not want to, at first, because they’re quite charming, as far as aquarium accessories go. But it’s sadism in the name of conservation. The real targets are the unwanted creatures bedding down on the small, fuzzy spheres: zebra mussels, or Dreissena polymorpha. Now, the U.S. government wants these mollusks gone, one mangled moss ball at a time.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA Boise, the “Welcoming City” For many years, Boise diners interested in foreign food had one main option: roasted lamb, chorizo, and other Basque food that is a legacy of immigration into Idaho from Europe’s western Pyrenees. More recently, though, Idaho’s capital city has seen an influx of new restaurants, food trucks, and mobile pop-ups showcasing everything from Middle Eastern shawarma to Ethiopian doro wat. Driven by the city’s rapid growth, Boise’s food scene is booming—and it’s thanks to Boise’s role as a certified “Welcoming City” for both immigrants and refugees. READ MORE → MODHERA, INDIA Modhera Sun Temple The Sun Temple is an intricately carved Hindu temple constructed after 1026 CE, during the Chaulukya dynasty. It was constructed in such a way that during every equinox, the first sunrays would fall on a diamond placed on the Sun God’s head. Carvings of the sun, along with its unity of four other elements—air, water, earth, and space—can be spotted along the walls of the temple. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES A Lockpicking Practicum Unlock your world. No, literally. This five-part course will cover the anatomy of locks, the fundamentals of how to pick them, and a number of things that aren’t fundamental at all. Over the course of five sessions, we’ll familiarize ourselves with the tools in a lockpicker’s kit, learn how to pick a basic pin tumbler lock, and decode a combination lock. We’ll also think about keyspace reduction, examine lockpicking in popular media, and even design a new lock from scratch. ENROLL NOW → Sled Dogs Take a break, and let’s think about sled dogs for a moment. What dogs are you picturing? Probably a dog of an Arctic breed racing through the tundra landscape. But while these breeds have historically dominated ultramarathon dog sledding races, mushers, both professional and amateur, have worked with a wide range of dogs, including Irish setters, poodles, and even Great Danes. Which breed is the best? Well, that depends on the environment you’re in. READ MORE → SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND Rivelin Valley Chair On the outskirts of Sheffield is the Rivelin Valley Trail, where beautiful riverside walks provide a mixture of nature and the industrial. Wander towards a small island in the river, and you’ll see a strange chair that looks like it’s made of gnarled tree roots. To access the chair, follow a short trail of stepping stones from the river bank. Then take a closer look for the reveal that the chair is actually made of steel. READ MORE → THE ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST Widow Jane Mine Join us for this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, where we visit an old cement mine in Rosendale, New York. We’re going to (virtually!) step inside and visit a spot that has been used as everything from a mushroom farm to a recording studio. LISTEN NOW → Silver Lake Sea Serpent Talk of lake monsters, legendary and otherwise, has been a part of the western New York region for centuries. According to Seneca lore that predated the arrival of Europeans, Silver Lake was home to a slug-like creature: the Silver Lake Serpent, arguably the town of Perry’s most famous resident. Over the years, the legend of the serpent has waxed and waned, living several lives and fiery deaths. It remains beloved by town residents, despite its shady past. READ MORE → EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Tolbooth Tavern The Tolbooth Tavern is situated in an impressive stone building with an ornate clock tower. But what many tourists may be unaware of is that this building hides a dark and mysterious past, including its history as a council chamber, police court, and prison for individuals who fought alongside Charles Edward Stuart, as well as an exorcism of a suspected warlock in the 16th century. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES How to Make a Museum Museums tell deliberate stories. The decisions that shape those stories—who tells them, what’s exhibited, and what’s omitted—often unfold outside of the purview of museum-goers. But what if we could bring museum-making into our own homes and worlds? That’s what we’ll find out in this four-part seminar with Alexis Hyde, curator and director of the Museum of Broken Relationships, to explore what museums and collections really are, how they take shape, and how to responsibly curate one of your own. ENROLL NOW →