[ 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 ]

Share | Email | Print | RSS Text size: + -

Media Information Media inquiries regarding the missions, science or technology covered in this Web site should be directed to Jane Platt, media relations specialist. (818) 354-0880
Partial ingredients for DNA and protein found around star (December 20, 2005) NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered some of life's most basic ingredients in the dust swirling around a young star. The ingredients - gaseous precursors to DNA and protein - were detected in the star's terrestrial planet zone, a region where rocky planets such as Earth are thought to be born. (External press release)
Burning the midnight oil at 13,600 feet (December 16, 2005) Robert Ligon is an engineer, not an astronaut. Nonetheless, his work takes place on an otherworldly landscape miles above sea level, where the air is thin and clear. He is part of a team that is pushing the technology envelope to aid in NASA's search for new worlds.
Planet hunters discover a giant and a middle-weight (December 5, 2005) European astronomers have announced the discovery of two new extrasolar planets, including a giant and one of the smallest ever found. The new discoveries bring the total number of known extrasolar planets to 157.
Explore the world's largest optical observatory (December 1, 2005) Take a 360 degree virtual tour of the W.M. Keck Observatory, home of the world's largest optical and infrared telescopes. The observatory, located atop a dormant volcano 13,600 feet above the Pacific Ocean, is the site of NASA's Keck Interferometer project.
A planet with planets? Spitzer finds cosmic oddball (November 29, 2005) Planets are everywhere these days. They have been spotted around more than 150 stars, and evidence is growing that they also circle "failed," or miniature, stars called brown dwarfs. (External press release)
TPF engineers achieve planet-detection milestone (November 10, 2005) For the first time ever, engineers working on JPL's Planet Detection Testbed have demonstrated that they can separate light as faint as that from a distant Earth-like planet from the blinding glare of its parent star.
Planet-finding telescope achieves 'first light' (October 26, 2005) Astronomers have obtained the first images using the Large Binocular Telescope, a powerful new observatory that will eventually be used to observe giant planets around nearby stars.
Spitzer finds planet-forming clumps around brown dwarfs (October 20, 2005) NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has spotted the very beginnings of what might become planets around the puniest of celestial orbs - brown dwarfs, or "failed stars." (External press release)
Astronomers discover new transiting planet (October 12, 2005) An international team of astronomers has announced the discovery of a new transiting extrasolar planet. The planet HD189733b, in the constellation Vulpecula, was detected and studied by the combination of two different methods, radial velocities and photometric transits, using the telescopes at Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP).
NASA takes giant step toward finding Earth-like planets (September 29, 2005) Are we alone in the universe? Are there planets like Earth around other "suns" that might harbor life? Thanks to a recent technology breakthrough on a key NASA planet-finding project, the dream of answering those questions is no longer light-years away.
Spitzer data suggest that some planets form quickly (September 12, 2005) Now observations from from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that some gas giant planets may form in less than 1 million years -- far more rapidly than predicted by current theories of planet formation. (External press release)
Six new planets reported (August 30, 2005) Scientists announced the discoveries of six new extrasolar planets during the latter half of August, found at distances ranging from 20 to 289 light-years from Earth, according to information posted on the Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia website.
The story before the story of extrasolar planets (August 16, 2005) A JPL scientist and his team are preparing to bring to the study of extrasolar planets what George Lucas brought to "Star Wars": the prequel.
Explore extreme life forms with 'Alien Safari' (August 11, 2005) Click the the link to discover some of the most extreme organisms on our planet, and find out what they are telling astrobiologists about the search for life beyond Earth.
Spanish-language version of PlanetQuest goes online (August 2, 2005) Spanish-speaking space aficionados can track the latest news in the hunt for planets around other stars, thanks to a new NASA website.
Scientists discover 10th planet in our solar system (July 29, 2005) Scientists discover 10th planet in our solar system (July 29, 2005) - A planet larger than Pluto has been discovered in the outlying regions of the solar system. (External press release)
NASA scientist discovers world with triple sunsets (July 13, 2005) A NASA-funded astronomer has discovered a world where the sun sets over the horizon, followed by a second sun and then a third. The new planet, called HD 188753 Ab, is the first known to reside in a classic triple-star system.
World with giant core bolsters planet-formation theory (June 30, 2005) NASA researchers recently discovered the largest solid core ever found in an extrasolar planet, and their discovery confirms a planet formation theory.
New evidence for a planet around Fomalhaut (June 22, 2005) New evidence for a planet around Fomalhaut (June 22, 2005) - NASA Hubble Space Telescope's most detailed visible-light image ever taken of a narrow, dusty ring around the nearby star Fomalhaut (HD 216956), offers the strongest evidence yet that an unruly and unseen planet may be gravitationally tugging on the ring. (External press release)
New software finds smallest extrasolar planet yet (June 20, 2005) A new computer program analyzed the motions of two giant planets and the star they orbit, and uncovered evidence of a third, much-smaller planet, just 7.5 times the mass of Earth.
Summer stargazing season kicks off (June 20, 2005) NASA's Night Sky Network helps amateurs across the country to enjoy the wonders of the nighttime sky. (External press release)
A giant, planet-finding telescope takes shape (June 10, 2005) The Large Binocular Telescope is an advanced dual-mirror observatory under construction atop Mount Graham, Arizona. When completed in the spring of 2006, it will be able to image giant planets outside of our solar system. Click the link below to view a time-lapse movie of telescope construction through installation of the first mirror cell. (Movie created by Tom Herbst using pictures from the LBT webcam.) QuickTime: 61 MB, 3.5 MB
Amateur, pro astronomers discover new planet (May 26, 2005) An international collaboration of astronomers, including two well-equipped amateurs in New Zealand, has made the second discovery of an extrasolar planet using gravitational microlensing.
Spitzer sees signs of alien asteroid belt (May 20, 2005) NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has spotted what may be the dusty spray of asteroids banging together in a belt that orbits a star like our Sun. The discovery offers astronomers a rare glimpse at a distant star system that resembles our home, and may represent a significant step toward learning if and where other Earths form.
Terrestrial Planet Finder in 3D (May 9, 2005) Explore the future of planet-finding with this new, interactive visualization of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder mission. Use your mouse to rotate the spacecraft, fire the thrusters or zoom in for a closer look at these advanced space observatories, designed for search for Earth-size planets and life. (Shockwave player required).
Astronomers confirm extrasolar 'planet' image (April 30, 2005) An international team of astronomers has reported confirmation of the first image of a planet-mass object outside of our solar system. The object, about five times the mass of Jupiter, orbits a brown dwarf rather than a star.
Night Sky Network engages 100,000 in wonders of the universe (April 22, 2005) More than 100,000 people across the United States have been introduced to planet-finding, black holes and other astronomy topics through the Night Sky Network, founded in 2004 by the Astronomy Society of the Pacific and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
European team releases image of possible planet (April 12, 2005) A team of European astronomers has released an image of what may be an extrasolar planet obiting within the dusty disc surrounding a young star. The estimated mass of the substellar companion is between one and 42 times that of Jupiter.
Dying stars may bring life to worlds thought unlivable (March 28, 2005) Scientists recently discovered a new frontier in the race to find life outside our solar system. Dying red giant stars may bring icy planets back from the dead. Once-frozen planets and moons may provide a new breeding ground for life as their stars enter the last, and brightest, phase of their lives. Previous ideas about the search for extra-solar life had excluded these regions. (External press release)
Scientist hails 'exciting step' toward seeing extrasolar planets (March 22, 2005) NASA's long-range goal of finding Earthlike planets around other stars was brought a step closer to reality with the direct capture of light from two extrasolar planets, a prominent extrasolar planet researcher said this week.
NASA's Spitzer captures light from extrasolar planets (March 22, 2005) NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has for the first time captured the light from two known planets orbiting stars other than our Sun. The findings mark the beginning of a new age of planetary science, in which "extrasolar" planets can be directly measured and compared. (External press release)
Astronomers discover a planet-sized star (March 11, 2005) An international team of astronomers searching for new planets has discovered something unexpected - a star only slightly larger than the planet Jupiter.
Planets galore: 12 new discoveries announced (February 15, 2005) The past four weeks have been heady ones in the planet-finding world: Three teams of astronomers announced the discovery of 12 previously unknown worlds, bringing the total count of planets outside our solar system to 145.
Spitzer observes beginnings of 'mini' solar system (February 7, 2005) Moons circle planets, and planets circle stars. Now, astronomers have learned that planets may also circle celestial bodies almost as small as planets. (External press release)
Former athlete flexes new muscles for planet search (January 19, 2005) Twice named All-American in track and field, he placed 12th in the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in high jump. Now, he has his sights set on even loftier goals -- building an instrument to spot hard-to-see planets outside our solar system, inspiring students, improving education, and strengthening the community.
Evidence mounts for image of suspected planet (January 10, 2005) NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is providing important supporting evidence for the existence of a candidate planetary companion to a relatively bright young brown dwarf star located 225 light-years away in the southern constellation Hydra. (External press release)
Spitzer spies aftermath of collisions in Vega disc (January 10, 2005) Astronomers say a dusty disc swirling around the nearby star Vega is bigger than earlier thought. (External press release)
NASA names key teams for Terrestrial Planet Finder (January 7, 2005) NASA has announced the membership of two panels that will play pivotal roles in developing the mission concept and science requirements for the Terrestrial Planet Finder observatories.
Top of Page

Share | Email | Print | RSS Text size: + -