Who names newly discovered planets? What exactly are black holes? Where are there the most earthquakes? When did the first Homo sapiens walk the earth? Why is the night sky dark? How does the fluoride in toothpaste prevent cavities? Since 1845, Scientific American has answered questions and provided the best information available in all areas of science. Now, Scientific American is proud to present an accessible, one–volume reference covering all the sciences. Whether you want to examine the tiniest microbes, the properties of the earth′s core, or the farthest reaches of space, this handy desk reference is the resource to turn to for the answers you need. ∗ Over 500 biographies of key science figures ∗ Thousands of glossary terms ∗ Hundreds of useful Web sites ∗ Tables, charts, diagrams, and illustrations ∗ Sidebars featuring fascinating facts, mnemonic aids, and quizzes ∗ Essays exploring ideas in–depth