Microscopic crystals that resemble party streamers, harlequins, and jacks challenge previous assumptions that fossilized curvy crystals indicate life.

An rare sun show gave cold-bitten Nebraskans a reason to go outside Wednesday.

Pulsar energy, Saturn storms, and an out-of-this-world balloon are among the week's best space images.

A piglet nuzzles a chicken as Ebola threatens, a Chinese mummy has a surprisingly good hair day, and more in the week's best news photos.

Using "Schwarzenegger" strength, the ancient flying reptiles could make a leaping launch from flat ground in less than a second, a new study says.

The first infrared panorama of the Milky Way's center has revealed a previously unknown population of massive stars scattered across the turbulent zone around our galaxy's core.

Saturn's true colors, baby blue stars, and an anniversary on Mars are among the week's best space images.

See natural treasures to be protected in three new marine monuments announced by U.S. President Bush—world's largest land crab, giant coral, and more.

The little-known reptile from the Galapagos fills a crucial gap in the evolution of land iguanas, scientists say. But its future may not be as rosy.

See the National Geographic Digital Media photo editors' favorite photos from National Geographic News's 2008 "Week in Photos" galleries.

The aftermath of an earthquake, a friendly cow, and an ethereal Paris sunset are three of the six winners of the National Geographic International Photo Contest 2008.

See National Geographic News's most popular astronomy photos of 2008, including stunning supernova remains, exoplanet firsts, and a rare celestial smiley face.

Speedboating Santas in Australia, a rare swimming hippo baby, and tiger-striped Chinese dancers star in this week's best news photos.

On Sicily, ten thousand ancient Greek graves have come to light. Among their contents: war dead and infants encased, womblike, in jars.

Remains of two potentially new prehistoric species have been unearthed in the Sahara: a pterosaur, or flying reptile, and a sauropod, a barrel-bodied, long-necked herbivore.