jessicahester1's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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map monday

The Chart That Measures Tall Trees Against Architectural Wonders

A 19th-century infographic that stacks a redwood against St. Peter's Basilica.
May 13, 2019
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real estate

For Sale: An Off-the-Grid Castle Sitting on an Actual Gold Mine

Way, way out in the Nevada desert, there's a perfect house for the posh recluse in your life.
May 10, 2019
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moon

How to Dress Like an 18th-Century Astronomer

Eventually, quilted, glittering pajamas gave way to parkas and moon boots.
May 9, 2019
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fungus

The End Is Near for One of Sweden's Oldest Trees

A giant oak is staring down the leafy green beyond.
May 7, 2019
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woods

A Fire Broke Out at the Forest That Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood

But in the wake of the blaze, a ranger said the prognosis isn't so gloomy.
May 3, 2019
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galaxy

How Amateur Astronomers Used a Remote Observatory to Peer at a Nearby Galaxy

Hey there, neighbor!
April 29, 2019
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deserts & desserts

The Secret Lives of Sand Dunes

They're not actually alive, of course, but they do migrate.
April 26, 2019
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crustaceans

These Tiny Desert-Dwelling Crustaceans Are Incredibly Patient

Tadpole shrimp hunker down, waiting for water conditions to be just right.
April 26, 2019
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deserts & desserts

The Horned Viper That Buries Itself Up to Its Eyeballs

Meet the most metal of the North African snakes.
April 25, 2019
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deserts & desserts

Emperor Penguins Always Wear Warm Coats

They need 'em in order to weather the coldest desert on Earth.
April 24, 2019
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desert

The Thirsty Beetles That Capture the Fog

In the Namib Desert, slaking thirst is a slow process.
April 23, 2019
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lizards

The Goofy Worm Lizard That Beats the Heat by Never Coming to the Surface

It has claws like a mole, eyes that look like poppy seeds, and a great strategy for evading predators and filling up on prey.
April 22, 2019
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cathedral

Medieval Cathedral Spires Have Been at Risk From the Get Go

For centuries, they’ve been toppled by lightning, wind, and more.
April 19, 2019
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paris

Notre Dame’s Bees Seem to Have Survived the Blaze

A little bit of sweet news.
April 19, 2019
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new york city

Step Into a Midcentury Map of New York, Packed With Weird Local Lore

Dragons, flea circuses, mermaids, and more wonders of the city.
April 17, 2019
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san francisco

For Sale: Striking Photos of the San Francisco Earthquake

This trove of images captures the 1906 geological event that brought the city to its knees.
April 16, 2019
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astronomy

Scientists Needed to Build a 'Planet-Sized Telescope' to See the Black Hole

But to get a sharper look, we’ll have to journey to space.
April 12, 2019
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flowers

When We All Move to Space, We'll Have to Be Picky About Houseplants

Which are best suited for a life among the stars?
April 11, 2019
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for sale

For Sale: An Abandoned, Decaying Fort on a Private Island

Won't someone, anyone, buy Fort Montgomery?
April 8, 2019
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shintoism

The Haunting Beauty of the Reconsecration of Shinto Shrines

Photographer Yukihito Masuura spent more than a decade documenting rituals that connect past and present.
April 5, 2019
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3d

Explore Historic Maps of Scotland, Now in 3D

The National Library of Scotland isn’t afraid of heights.
April 3, 2019
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fatberg

A Pretty, Seaside Town in England Vanquished Its Giant Fatberg

It took several weeks, protective masks, and elbow grease. Oh, and also pickaxes.
April 1, 2019
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bibliomania

For Centuries, Know-It-Alls Carried Beautiful Miniature Almanacs Wherever They Went

The small, ornate tomes were big status symbols.
March 29, 2019
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mars

Why Does This Picture From Mars Look Like a Riverbed on Earth?

A familiar sight, millions of miles away.
March 29, 2019