Instagram may be full of selfies, fancy lattes, and fashion statements, but it can also be quite educational if you know which accounts to look at. If you wish to add a little wonder and knowledge to your social media feed, check out these 7 inspiring Instagram accounts for science geeks that’ll help you learn something new every day.
For the love of science, follow them!
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an astronaut? To live on the International Space Station for months at a time and see our beautiful, bright blue planet Earth from above? Well, American astronaut Scott Kelly (@stationcdrkelly) is watching over us at this very moment, and right before he took off last March, President Barack Obama himself said: « Good luck Captain. Make sure to Instagram it. » Who would say no to that?
The National Geographic (@natgeo) isn’t just a magazine! It’s also one of the world’s most important scientific, educational and environmental institutions, and it has spawned some of the best photography you’ve probably ever seen. So join their 36 million Instagram followers for unique access to our planet’s most breathtaking species, places, geology, people, and cultures.
Speaking of breathtaking imagery, did you know that Curiosity (@marscuriosity), the robotic rover that was sent to Mars by the NASA, has its own Instagram account? That’s right, welcome to 2015: When the Internet lets you see what’s happening not only elsewhere in the world, but elsewhere in our galaxy. How exciting, I wonder what’s next… To infinity, and beyond!
Located in New York City, the American Museum of Natural History (@amnh) is one of the largest and most fascinating museums in the world. Make sure to stop by when visiting the Big Apple, but be aware that it’s hard not to spend a ridiculous amount of time in its countless exhibition halls… And if a trip to N.Y.C. isn’t possible for you, their Instagram page is a perfect complement!
Administered by the U. S. Government, the Smithsonian Institution is the legacy of British scientist James Smithson, who died in 1829 and wanted his wealth to be used in the funding of « an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. » Today, the Institution runs 19 museums, 9 research centers, the National Zoological Park in Washington D.C., and the Smithsonian Magazine (@smithsonianmagazine), which you can follow on Instagram for your daily dose of scientific wisdom!
The NOAA (@noaafisheries) is another governmental agency from the U. S. that is worth looking into. Dedicated to protecting the environment through scientific research and the management of resources for healthier ecosystems, it uses Twitter and Instagram as educational outlets to raise awareness of the state of our oceans and atmosphere.
Last but not least, NASA’s Instagram account (@nasa) is every science geek’s fantasy land! Discover the cosmos through sensational images of faraway galaxies, planets, star clusters, fiery suns, colorful nebulas and extraordinary astronomical pnemonema that will truly blow your mind and possibly trigger some existential thinking. The vastness of space is a concept that can be hard to grasp, but once you realize that these pictures are real, you can’t help but to be amazed by their eerie beauty.
Fellow nerds, what are your favorite Instagram accounts?
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