(In case it wasn't obvious), the Smithsonian is primarily a print magazine. The magazine arrives at or near the start of the month, which means the articles are

(In case it wasn't obvious), the Smithsonian is primarily a print magazine. The magazine arrives at or near the start of the month, which means the articles are written and ready before the printing starts. When I was a subscriber I would sometimes get the magazine before the start of the month, and occasionally joke about time travel.