National Geographic January 2013

The World of Explorers

A photo portfolio: a lunar landing, volcanic action, ancient footprints in Africa.

Restless Genes

Scientists are trying to learn what drove us out from Africa and on to the moon and beyond.

Exploration: Risk Takers

They snare poisonous snakes, drill into glaciers, probe cat parasites – and always push the limits.

Crazy Far

To the stars. Do we have the right stuff to go?

Rain Forest for Sale

Ecuador’s Yasuni Park has it all – treetop orchids, prowling jaguars, nearly 600 species of birds … and oil craved by developers.

The Greatest Survival Story

His companions died. Food was nearly gone. And Douglas Mawson still had 95 polar miles to go.

Small, Small World

We breathe in millions of microbes. But we’ve only just begun to study them.