Astronomers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) will hold a media conference from the Smithsonian Castle at 10 a.m. EDT, Thursday, September 14, to announce two key extrasolar planet findings - one observational and one theoretical.

Reporters may participate in the conference by traveling to the Castle at 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC. The conference also will be webcast at: http://www.science.si.edu/

Following the presentations, off-site reporters may call in their questions by phoning: (866) 222-7056, participant code 404000.

Shortly before the start of the briefing, the relevant press releases will be posted online at: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/ep/pressrel.html

The releases will link to pages with high-resolution graphics supporting the briefing.

Briefing participants are:

• Gaspar Bakos, Hubble fellow, CfA, Cambridge, Mass.
• Robert Noyes, senior physicist, CfA
• Lisa Kaltenegger, astrophysicist, CfA
• Wes Traub, astrophysicist, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
• Dimitar Sasselov, astrophysicist, CfA

David Aguilar
daguilar@cfa.harvard.edu
(617) 495-7462

Christine Pulliam
cpulliam@cfa.harvard.edu
(617) 495-7463