New Planet Found

Astronomers have struggled for centuries to find our solar system's planets, let alone any outside of our relatively puny cosmic neighborhood.

Yet during only the past 13 years, observers have tracked down nearly 300 distant bodies beyond our system thanks to rapid advances in ground-based telescope technology and methods.

Ten worlds alone were identified by a group of astronomers in the past six months using earthbound instruments, and another team of scientists just announced they have found the youngest-ever planetary infant. The hunt for the first Earth-like planet, however, is still on.

news.ninemsn.com.au... Astronomers find new planets, and a baby
Thursday Apr 3 12:20 AEDT

Astronomers using robotic cameras say they have found 10 new planets outside our solar system, while a second team believes it has found the youngest planet yet.
The findings add to a growing list of more than 270 so-called extrasolar planets, they told a meeting of astronomers in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The robot team is called "SuperWASP," for Wide Area Search for Planets, and the cameras look for planets transiting, or crossing in front of, their stars.