NEWS
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE
AUGUST 2017
CONTACT:
Anna Kukelhaus Dynan
+1 (202) 912-6724
[email protected]
Look for the August issue online now at ngm.com and on print newsstands on July 25.
Interviews and visuals available.
THE SPACE ISSUE: Shoot for the Moon. Again.
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AN IMPENDING DEADLINE FOR A BIG REWARD: Commercializing space travel might be
the next frontier. We cover the Google Lunar XPrize which will award $20 million to one of five
finalist teams from around the world.
TIMELY, COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT: National Geographic’s feature cover story and
supplementary space content are aligned with two key upcoming dates: the anniversary of
the Apollo 11 landing on July 20, and the solar eclipse on August 21.
Available:
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Several space experts to discuss the Google Lunar XPrize, the solar eclipse and more
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Several photos, videos, and graphics from space content in this issue
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Interactive graphic rendering of the current Google Lunar XPrize finalists’ modules
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Graphic timeline illustrating the “race to space”
A Place to Go: Open defecation threatens health
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A STRIKING STATISTIC: While many in the Western world are used to having a restroom easily accessible, nearly a billion people, more
than half of them in India, defecate outdoors every day.
HIGH CHILD FATALITY: The result is millions of deaths and lives stunted by serious disease due to water source contamination and lack
of personal hygiene practices. In India, diarrhea kills over 117,000 children under the age of five each year.
ADAPTING TO CHANGE? In some areas of India, latrines are available, however due to different accessibility issues and cultural views
toward sanitation, there is hesitation to change practice.
Available:
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Photos illustrating the global crisis, including photos of pit latrines around the world
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Maps and graphics showing the countries with the highest rates of open-defecation & global health concerns
• EXCLUSIVE interview with Matt Damon on this topic and his organization, Water.org
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Interviews w/ author Elizabeth Royte and photographer Andrea Bruce
The Shortfin Mako Shark
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A MYSTERIOUS SHARK AT RISK: Scientists have no clear idea how many makos there are
in the Earth’s oceans, and most of the data on catch and mortality rates come from commercial
fishing operations, which famously tend to underreport catches.
KNOWLEDGE GAP: Biologists studying makos are trying to fill in some huge knowledge gaps,
including how many there actually are and whether or not fishing them is sustainable, as well as
whether commercial or recreational fisherman are to blame.
This story is tied to an upcoming book and Nat Geo WILD’s annual SharkFest starting Sunday,
July 23 at 8/7c.
Available:
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Up-close photos of shortfin mako sharks
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Underwater video of these sharks in action
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Interviews w/ underwater photographer Brian Skerry
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Infographic on the anatomy of mako sharks
Messiah Complex: These men say they’re the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Their disciples agree.
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QUIRKY: For the past three years, National Geographic photographer Jonas Bendiksen has followed seven men who claim to be the
second coming of Christ, creating images that illustrate the human longing for faith, meaning and salvation.
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Jonas Bendiksen’s book on this topic, THE LAST TESTAMENT, will be published in September 2017.
Available:
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Photos of individuals claiming to be the second coming of Christ
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Interviews w/ photographer Jonas Bendiksen
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