April 13, 2004

Donald Savage 
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1547)

Jane Platt
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
(Phone: 818/354-0880)

Mitch Waldrop
National Science Foundation, Arlington, Va.
(Phone: 703/292-7752) 

NOTE TO EDITORS: N04-053

NASA VIRTUAL NEWS BRIEFING: SUCCESS WITH NEW PLANET HUNTING TOOL

On Thursday April 15, at 1 p.m. EDT, astronomers will explain how they 
used a new technique to find an extrasolar, orbiting another star, 
planet during a listen-and-log-on news briefing. 

Using this technique, amateur astronomers might help with follow-up 
observations of future discoveries, and help confirm planets, as 
small as Earth, beyond our solar system.

Briefing participants:

– Dr. Philippe Crane, Origins theme scientist, NASA 
Headquarters, Washington
– Dr. Ian Bond, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

The discovery was made during a research project partly funded by 
NASA, the National Science Foundation and several international 
institutions.

The virtual news briefing is only for reporters. To participate 
reporters must call any of the above listed contacts by noon EDT, 
April 15 to get the phone number and password.

Images and graphics supporting this news briefing will be posted at 1 
p.m. EDT, April 15, on the Internet at: 

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/media/041504 

	
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