Just within the past 10 years, astronomers have discovered well over a hundred planets in orbit around stars beyond our own Sun. Now the National Science Foundation invites reporters to a media briefing on a major advance in the search for such planets. The briefing will also be Webcast, and viewers will be able to submit questions via telephone and e-mail.

What: News Briefing: Scientists Make New Discovery About Planets Outside Our Solar System

Who:

• Michael Turner, head of NSF's Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
•   Geoffrey Marcy, University of California, Berkeley
•   Paul Butler, Carnegie Institution of Washington
•   Eugenio Rivera, Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz
•   Jack Lissauer, NASA Ames Research Center

When: Monday, June 13, 2005, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Where:

National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 110
Arlington, VA  22230
(Ballston Metro stop)
- Enter at corner of 9th & Stuart
- Go directly to Room 110 on the left (no need to check in with security)
For directions: http://www.nsf.gov/about/visit/

Webcast: http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsmedia/planetdiscovery.jsp

Call-In Questions: 1 (877) 716-1362; International : 1 (712) 237-6081 passcode: 697899

Email Questions: The address will be posted on the Webcast site.

RSVP to: Rochelle Spicer-Monroe, (703) 292-7753, rspicerm@nsf.gov

Media Contacts

M. Mitchell Waldrop, NSF (703) 292-7752 mwaldrop@nsf.gov