The hidden truth of Area 51

Friday, February 17, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we visit an isolated region at the heart of alien lore, see the top images in our photo contest, learn about a pharaoh’s ‘Succession’ problem … and discover Hollywood’s love affair with western Ireland—and the Celtic tie to Star Wars.

COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH BY JENNIFER EMERLING

Aliens may not have been behind the latest rash of UFO shootdowns, but the truth is out there.

And many believe it is in Area 51.

Start with a dirt road, head toward a mislabeled airport—actually a military base with many names and a spooky (as in CIA) history. Frequent launches of experimental planes led to a rash of reports of UFOs—and the area has become a pillar of alien mythology. As secret documents are declassified, what exactly IS out there?

Read the full story here.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JENNIFER EMERLING

Another ‘alien’ enclave: Two humans and their backseat stowaway (above) drive to Roswell, New Mexico, famous for a supposed alien spaceship crash in 1947. Some conspiracy theorists believe remains from the Roswell crash were taken to—you guessed it—Area 51! Pictured at top, UFO believers look for suspicious aircraft in Sedona, Arizona. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY REGENTS, UC SANTA CRUZ

Why does Saturn have rings? (Above, a Voyager I photograph of the planet in 1980.)

Is it worth it to freeze your eggs? Here’s what the science says.

Can a ‘good’ fat help extend your life?

Invasive ants are a bigger threat than we thought

A once-in-a-generation ‘shroom-bloom’ is producing a bumper mushroom crop—with newfound varieties

The weird history of monuments to George Washington
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Vanished: Researchers now have a clue to the disappearance of a powerful Biblical empire

Coming face to face with a sea ‘monster’

Just a placebo? Controversial findings about cannabis and pain

How a Nat Geo Explorer ended up snorkeling with the president

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNETH GARRETT, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Wait, how many kids? Pharaoh Ramses II isn’t known as Ramses the Great for nothing. During his 70-year reign he managed to build palaces, temples, stelae, and statues that we still admire today—and sire some 100 children. Despite his manyavailable sons, Ramses II never yielded the throne and his dynasty paid the price. (Above, the tomb housing most of Ramses II’s sons.)

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY KARTHIK SUBRAMANIAM, @KARTHZ

It’s my tree! An aggressive bald eagle moves in to steal a key perch near a salmon run in Alaska. This image was chosen among nearly 5,000 submissions as the winner of National Geographic’s Pictures of the Year contest. Karthik Subramaniam, a San Francisco software engineer with a passion for wildlife photography, made the image on the last day of a trip to Alaska.

SEE ALL THE FINALISTS

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES P. BLAIR, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Hollywood love: What is it about the west coast of Ireland? Long before the stunning Oscar contender The Banshees of Inisherin, filmmakers such as David Lean and J.J. Abrams had fallen in love with the stark landscape. Here’s why. (Above, the ancient Dun Aengus fort, which was used in scenes of Banshees.)

BANSHEES AND MORE

Today’s soundtrack: Sweet Life, Frank Ocean

This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Sydney Combs, and David Beard. Have feedback? Email david.beard@natgeo.com. Thanks for reading and may the force be with you this weekend!

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The hidden truth of Area 51

The hidden truth of Area 51

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