August 20, 2021

‘Invisible’ Animals Have you ever wanted to disappear? While humans may still be working on our powers of camouflage, the animal world may be light years ahead. From glasswing butterflies to vanishing octopuses, evolution has proven to be a mad scientist, and now researchers are investigating these see-through properties a little more closely. Here’s a clear picture of some of the fascinating creatures that have mastered the art of being totally transparent.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA Bioluminescent Squid Sushi Every year around April and early May, the waters of Toyama Bay, a fishing port in central Japan, glow an otherworldly blue. This is due to the firefly squid, or hotaru ika in Japanese, which emit a mesmerizing light courtesy of a network of thousands of photophores situated all over their 3-inch bodies. For this short window of time, millions of these tiny cephalopods swim up the canyon-like floor of Toyama Bay to go out in a blaze of glory—and in some cases, become sushi. Increasingly, chefs at Japanese restaurants are highlighting firefly squid for the few short months when fishermen in Toyama Bay can catch it. READ MORE → THE ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST American Chestnut Foundation In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we’re diving into a kind of an apocalypse. One that you don’t know about, but radically altered the landscape of America. This is the story of the unimaginable destruction of the American chestnut tree—once known as the redwood of the East Coast—and the scientists, academics, and tree lovers who are desperately trying to bring them back from the edge of extinction. YORK, ENGLAND Battle of Marston Moor Monument On quiet farmland just outside York, one of the most significant battles of the English Civil War was fought on July 2, 1644. Throughout that summer, Parliamentarian forces were joined by Scottish Covenanters who had been besieging the Royalist stronghold of York. This proved to be one of the biggest battles of the war, and effectively ended the Royalist presence in the North of England, along with its ports and access to their allies in Scotland, which in turn led to their ultimate defeat in the conflict. READ MORE → Best Dog Places Ancient astronomers observed that the hottest days of the year occurred around the time the night sky’s brightest star—the Dog Star, Sirius—was in conjunction with the sun, thus considering the sweltering period before and after that conjunction to be the dog days. But dogs have taken on new meaning for us in modern times. Let’s face it: Every day is a dog day. And why should we wait until summer to celebrate what they mean to us? Here are a few of our favorite places that honor some of the amazing achievements of Canis familiaris—from loyally greeting visitors to fighting wars to saving lives—all year long. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Lockpicking Practicum Lockpicking is a useful survival skill and a fun hobby for puzzle enthusiasts. In this five-part seminar with Schuyler Towne, learn the basics of lockpicking, examine how movies and TV portray lockpicking and design a lock from scratch. LEARN MORE → CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA The Cartersville Abandoned Plane This discarded G-159 Gulfstream Plane was abandoned near a river put in during the mid-2000s. It has since been picked clean by salvagers, the wings, tail, wiring, and instrument panels are no longer present. In recent years, the airliner has become a canvas, as the site has gained popularity with area teenagers, intrepid hikers, and graffiti artists. READ MORE → FROM THE ARCHIVES Celebrity Tortoise Breakup Why do relationships end? The question plagues experts and laypeople alike. Circumstances change. The spark goes away. An attribute that once intrigued you is suddenly repellant. That’s true for people, and apparently for tortoises, too. For 90-odd years, Bibi and Poldi, two Galápagos tortoises, lived in harmony, seemingly in love. And then one day—they weren’t. We still don’t really know why, but that’s love for ya. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Learning the Secrets of Trees With crowns that rustle above us and a universe of roots sprawled beneath us, trees shape much of the world we occupy. Join Annie Novak for this four-part lecture series to get to know the trees around you—from learning basic botany and tree identification to performing your own fieldwork. LEARN MORE → VALENTINE, TEXAS Prada Marfa The middle of the West Texas desert isn’t the first place you’d expect to find a fully stocked Prada store, but stop a few miles outside of the tiny town of Valentine, Texas and you’ll find just that. Built of a biodegradable adobe-like substance, the building is meant to slowly melt back into the Earth, serving as a surrealist commentary on Western materialism. Most people buy the artists’ story, but some argue that Prada Marfa is a trap set by aliens meant to attract potential abductees. Visitors beware. READ MORE → ROME, ITALY St. Valentine's Skull A skull resides in a glass reliquary in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, surrounded by flowers. Lettering painted across the forehead identify the owner as none other than of the patron saint of lovers, St. Valentine. Knowing just exactly whose skull it is, though, is complicated. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Ancient Cities & Modern Highlands of Guatemala Guatemala is the home to the largest living Mayan population in the world. Join us on this 10-day journey to gain insight into this diverse country’s complex and ever-evolving fabric and its time-honored traditions. LEARN MORE →