HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast

Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • 5.0 (5)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A museum is only as special as the treasures it watches over. For the Houston Museum of Natural Science, that’s more than 2.5 million objects. Each of these amazing items -- from hulking dinosaur mummies to delicate butterfly wings and intricately carved seashells -- has a story. Got an object you’d like to learn more about? How about a science question you’ve been dying to ask? Let us know at podcasts@hmns.org.

  1. Terracotta Warriors

    11/01/2025

    Terracotta Warriors

    They march once more, this time to Houston 📍 Explore World of the Terracotta Warriors, opening November 14. See ancient China’s unification under Qin Shi Huang brought to life through rare artifacts and stunning craftsmanship. World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century is jointly organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum of the People's Republic of China, and Bowers Museum in the United States. Local support is provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®. #TerracottaWarriors #HMNS #HistoryUnearthed #WarriorsAtHMNS ------ For centuries, China’s Terracotta Warriors have stirred the soul and ignited the imagination. Here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, we are thrilled, privileged, and honored to host these marvels within our own walls for all to witness. https://www.hmns.org/ For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    38 min
  2. The Science & History of Bourbon

    09/15/2025

    The Science & History of Bourbon

    Even if you do not drink it, the science and history behind bourbon is infused with notes of wonder, curiosity, and fascination. Bourbon expert Randy Bruner helps us to get acquainted with its enchanting history, as well as tips for those interested in developing their own taste for this historical spirit. More info and upcoming tasting events: https://sugarland.hmns.org/ For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    54 min
  3. Ever Wondered How Asteroids Get Their Names?

    09/09/2025

    Ever Wondered How Asteroids Get Their Names?

    Have you ever noticed asteroid names and wondered how they came to be? Let's go to the HMNS George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park and talk to astronomer Tracy Knauss to learn all about it...and much more! George Observatory https://george.hmns.org/ More about our 36 inch scope https://youtu.be/hz2-GgX9omg?si=Y5-Xbp6qORNLA8Tk George VLOG https://youtu.be/e9pXhaA0q8A?si=elZTB-o9GgLIQBM1 Tracy's Asteroid https://fbac.org/2025/08/21/tracy-knauss-asteroid/ Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:54 Tracy's Asteroid 4:09 What do the label numbers mean? 8:05 Who can find asteroids?  13:47 More about Tracy's asteroid  18:58 Has the George Observatory found asteroids? 20:34 Addressing light pollution 25:29 Venus is cool 27:28 Do you need expensive equipment for viewing/astrophotography? 35:14 Sometimes you don't need anything at all 36:57 History of 36-inch scope & George Observatory 41:23 Importance of optics 44:50 More 36-inch scope facts For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    48 min
  4. Let's call this a kind of...Mummification "Orientation"

    07/01/2025

    Let's call this a kind of...Mummification "Orientation"

    Kat Havens joins the podcast in our beautiful Hall of Ancient Egypt to discuss the, well, gutwrenching process of mummification! Website: https://www.hmns.org/ eMail: Podcasts@HMNS.org The smell of a mummy: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mummies-from-ancient-egypt-smell-surprisingly-nice-scientists-say/ For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    1h 19m
  5. Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals

    06/02/2025

    Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals

    (00:00:00) Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals (00:22:08) In with the Foxes Our new exhibit "Extreme Animals Alive" showcases the superhero-like adaptations of some awesome animals. In this episode, we talk about Fennec Foxes specifically, and the blood, sweat, tears, and dedication that goes into caring for the animals in our museum. Website: https://www.hmns.org/ Email: Podcasts@hmns.org YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/Blm8WukRZHI 0:00 Outside Exhibit 22:10 Inside with the Foxes For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    59 min
  6. Two Big, Two Fail: The Life and Demise of Ice Age Giants, Ground Sloths & Armadillos

    05/01/2025

    Two Big, Two Fail: The Life and Demise of Ice Age Giants, Ground Sloths & Armadillos

    Giant Ground Sloths and Giant Armadillos (Eremotherium and Glyptodon) were seemingly too big to fail...yet time comes for us all. So, how did these Ice Age (Pleistocene) get SO big, and why did they go extinct? Previous episode mentioned: Fossil Preperation https://open.spotify.com/episode/5762aSEEWuQeUVqJGIo6NK?si=2f6420a3c6ab4d19 Email: Podcasts@HMNS.org For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    46 min
  7. Quantum Computing: A Qubit Crash Course

    04/02/2025

    Quantum Computing: A Qubit Crash Course

    While Ai is the current hype, even thinking about Quantum Computing can seem daunting, if not ominous...honestly. So here is a crash course in qubits to hopefully help ease us into an initial pursuit of understanding. Deeper dive into Quantum Computers: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/quantum-computing Email us! Podcasts@HMNS.org Ai Episode: https://youtu.be/uWWFlbDl6BE?si=mfnSB580vY7HzDZu For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    13 min
  8. Dinosaur Conspiracies & Misconceptions with James Washington

    03/01/2025

    Dinosaur Conspiracies & Misconceptions with James Washington

    Who is allowed to dig for fossils? What do you do with fossils that are found? Why don't I find fossils in my yard? Are fossils a hoax? Are fossils radioactive? James Washington and "Mental Curator" Johnny Hemberger discuss some interesting dinosaur conspiracies and clear up some common misconceptions about fossils, dinosaurs, and more in this latest episode of the "HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast." Podcasts@Hmns.org For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

    34 min
See All (34)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A museum is only as special as the treasures it watches over. For the Houston Museum of Natural Science, that’s more than 2.5 million objects. Each of these amazing items -- from hulking dinosaur mummies to delicate butterfly wings and intricately carved seashells -- has a story. Got an object you’d like to learn more about? How about a science question you’ve been dying to ask? Let us know at podcasts@hmns.org.

Information

  • Creator
    Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Show Website
    HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast