Written by the dean of children's science books, this colossal resource is a must-have for young scientists ages 9 and up. Revitalized with more than 175 new and revised entries plus 260 freshly colourized illustrations, the book now features more than 2,100 entries that cover all branches of science from astronomy to zoology.Fascinating features include the origins of hundreds of terms and biographies of prominent scientists. Informative tables cover units of measurement, the periodic table, basic equations, symbols, and scientific suffixes and prefixes. Detailed charts include weather maps and illustrations of the solar system, star magnitudes, the interior of the Earth, atmospheric layers, basic taxonomy, the geological timescale, and many other subjects. Written in lively, straightforward terms, this user-friendly volume answers a myriad of intriguing questions and provides a springboard for a better grasp of our planet and its place in the universe.