Photo of the Day

yellow fish against a dark coral reef
December 13, 2019

Flashy Fish

This autochrome of reef dwelling fish was among the first color pictures to appear in National Geographic magazine, in 1927. The process of lighting the fish involved an actual explosion of magnesium powder that could light beings up to 15 feet underwater.
Photograph by W. H. Longely and Charles Martin, National Geographic

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history