Lunar Meteorite exhibit

New Lunar Exhibit: Mysteries of the Moon

June 10, 2021

By Rachel Smith, head of Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab and curator of meteorites and Micah Beasley, PR & Marketing Coordinator The Mysteries of the Moon exhibit at the Museum’s downtown Raleigh location. Our Moon is more than 238,000 miles from Earth, and now a small piece of it is on display at the Museum’s… Read More >


An array of diverse freshwater mussels from one river in the United States. Photo: Dr. M. Chris Barnhart copyright 2002.

Museum curator co-authors new paper on knowledge shortfalls and conservation of freshwater mollusks

June 9, 2021

An array of diverse freshwater mussels from one river in the United States. Photo: Dr. M. Chris Barnhart, copyright 2002. Museum Malacology Curator Art Bogan has co-authored a new paper: “Major shortfalls impairing knowledge and conservation of freshwater molluscs,” published in Hydrobiologia June 2, 2021. From the Abstract: “Molluscs are among the most diverse and… Read More >


Pronghorn antelope

SNAPSHOT USA: First-ever nationwide mammal survey published

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) enjoys the sun in the snowy hills of southern Wyoming, contributed by Jesse Alston, University of Wyoming. [RALEIGH, N.C.] – How are the squirrels doing this year? The bears? The armadillos? How would you know? A new paper published June 8 sets up the framework for answering these questions across the United… Read More >


Brian O'Shea, NCMNS Ornithology Collections Manager, looks at a collection of bird specimen

4 Things You Didn’t Know About the NCMNS Ornithology Collection

June 8, 2021

An interview with Brian O’Shea, PhD, Collections Manager for Ornithology By Will Clayton, NCMNS Marketing Intern and Micah Beasley, PR & Marketing Coordinator Brian O’Shea, NCMNS Ornithology Collections Manager, looks at a collection of bird specimens.   Tucked away in the basement of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences lives a vibrant scientific collection… Read More >


Bobcat on man-made trail.

Museum zoologist Kays co-authors paper showing North American mammals’ response to humans

June 3, 2021

A new study co-authored by Roland Kays, Head of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Biodiversity Lab, investigated how humans on trails affect mammals in wild, suburban or rural areas. The results suggest which species will thrive around humans or human infrastructure, and which ones need our help. The study is published in the journal… Read More >