National Geographic | THE COMPASS

National Geographic

THE COMPASS

This week, we dive into the world of the mysterious, strange, and sometimes utterly weird. Find out why plague doctors wore those strange beaked masks, discover if the multiverse really does exist, and learn about mummy mugshots and other strange passport facts.

The looper moth, seen here in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest, is among the moth species that have a tympanum, which works like an ear, on their abdomens.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL DURHAM, MINDEN PICTURES / NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Some insects taste with their feet and hear with their wings

Insects put their senses in strange places, from ears on their bellies to noses on their legs—and eyes on their genitalia.

SMELL YA LATER!

A giant plague doctor walking by a miniature town.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ARTEFACT, ALAMY

Why plague doctors wore those strange beaked masks

In the 17th century, people believed these outfits could purify poisonous air. They were wrong.

A FORBIDDING ENSEMBLE

This image shows the cosmic microwave background—the oldest light in the universe, released shortly after the big bang.

IMAGE COURTESY WMAP / NASA

What is the multiverse—and is there any evidence it really exists?

Scientists can only see so far before they run into the edge of the universe. Will we ever know if anything lies beyond?

AN ALTERNATE REALITY

IN THE MOUNTAINOUS FORESTS OF NEW GUINEA, SCIENTISTS HAVE DESCRIBED A NEW KIND OF ANIMAL WHOSE MALES SPORT A SINGLE, FLESHY SPIKE ON THEIR NOSE. WHAT IS IT?

A. RHINO
B. MONKEY
C. FROG

CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

A rider on camelback surveys the steep-sided pyramids of Mero in Sudan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBBIE SHONE / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAGE COLLECTION

These four lost cities were jewels of ancient Africa. What happened to them?

Thonis-Heracleion, Alexandria, Meroë, and Jenne-Jeno were once centers of sophistication and wealth, but their fortunes waned over time. Although their ancient splendors disappeared from sight, archaeology is now revealing their glorious pasts.

SOME SURPRISING FINDS

GOOD READS

1.

In a first, bird uses tools to make sweet music

2.

Shark-like fossil with manta 'wings' is unlike anything seen before

3.

Discover the weird world of competitive food eating

4.

Dire wolves were real—and even stranger than we thought

PAID CONTENT FOR MAZDA

A photo of a silhouette of two men talking next to a car, the sun setting in the background.

Inspiration flows freely on the Big Island of Hawaii

Every delicious dish, ingenious solution, and amazing discovery comes from the same source: The innate human need to explore, create, and transcend. Lucky for us, nature has an unparalleled power to feed that hunger. Join National Geographic Explorer Andrés Ruzo and chef Melissa King as they connect deeply with nature, source local ingredients, and create a dish inspired by the Big Island.

A photo of passports, visas, and other travel documents.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NICO TONDINI, ROBERT HARDING / NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Mummy mugshots and other strange passport facts

From Egyptian mummies to British horses, these are some of the most unusual passports.

A DOORWAY TO THE WORLD

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT?

Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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