OUTSIDE THE BOX:

On July 24 the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is hosting a special after-hours talk melding paleontology and ocean science: "Spying On Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures." Whales "evolved from land-roaming creatures the size of German shepherds into animals that move like fish, breathe like us, can grow to 300,000 pounds, live 200 years and travel entire ocean basins. Whales fill us with awe, terror, and affection, but because they live 99% of their lives underwater, they remain mysteries to us. In Spying on Whales, paleontologist at the National Museum of Natural History, Nick Pyenson, takes readers to the ends of the earth and the cutting edge of research to answer some of our biggest questions about whales. Why and how did they evolve to such enormous sizes? How did their ancestors return from land to the sea? What do their lives tell us about our oceans and about evolution as a whole?" The program begins at 6:45 pm and is free, but you must reserve tickets in advance. go.si.edu/site/Calendar?id=102361&view=Detail&s_src=nmnh_web_trumba_er