Ivars Peterson is the author of "The Mathematical Tourist" (1988), "Islands of Truth" (1990) and "Newton's Clock" (1993) --all published by W.H. Freeman and Company. For the past ten years he has reported on developments in astronomy, physics, and mathematics for Science News. In recognition of his accomplishments as a science journalist and author, Peterson received the 1991 Communications Award from the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics.