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> November 19, 1999:
Hour One: Planet Proof / Rush Holt
Scientists announced this week that they believe they have confirmed the existence of a planet circling another star. Astronomer Greg Henry, observing star HD 209458 in the constellation of Pegasus, spotted a periodic dimming and brightening of the light coming from it. | This cycle, repeating every three and a half days, may be caused by a planet passing between the star and the Earth -- a very long-range eclipse. The brightness data from HD 209458 matches predictions made by planet hunters Geoff Marcy and Paul Butler, who observed wobbles in the star that could have been caused by the gravitational pull of a passing planet. | 
Some researchers use "wobbles" around stars to try to
detect planets. The new findings spotted a star
dimming and brightening again - what scientists
believe may be a planet passing between the star and
the Earth. (Al Schultz, Sally Heap, and NASA) | What's the status of the search for planets around other stars? There are plenty of people looking, using a variety of methods. We'll talk to one of the planet-hunters and get an update.
Back in April, we introduced you to freshman Congressman Rush Holt, a physicist and former assistant director at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Now that one session of Congress has gone by, we'll check in with Congressman Holt about how the transition from science to government is going - and about some of the science-related issues facing Congress in the session to come.
The budgetary process is always important to scientists looking for their next grant. As things stand now, most R&D programs are due to receive increases. Funding for basic research would rise significantly in, with increases mostly going to life sciences and medical research funded by NIH. Also under consideration is the extension of a tax credit for companies conducting research and development. | Cash flow isn't the only issue, of course. Improving science education, the Year 2000 problem, privacy for medical data, the ethics of stem cell research, and regulating urban sprawl are all contentious issues facing governmental leaders. Also on the table are various Internet issues, from the problem of how to manage domain names, to taxation of e-commerce sales, to the balance between free speech and the safety of children on line. | 
Scientist in Congress - Read all about it!
Newsboys in front of Capitol, 1912.
(Lewis Hine photo) | What do you think are the important issues - and how do you think Congress has done so far? Tune in to this hour of Science Friday for your chance to talk about the intersection between science and government - and how YOU think that intersection should be handled.
Guests:
Paul Butler
Astronomer, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Washington, D.C.
Rush Holt
U.S. Representative (D-NJ)
Former Assistant Director
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Hopewell, New Jersey
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
SFSU Extrasolar Planets Search
Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia
ExtraSolar Worlds - SpaceDaily Special
Microlensing Planet Search Project Home Page
Terrestrial Planet Finder Project
Extrasolar Research Corporation
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI)
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
Rep. John Olver (D-MA)
U.S. House of Representatives
House Science Committee
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Science Friday April 23, 1999: Rush Holt
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- This segment produced by:
Karin Vergoth
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist
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