Launched on Aug.25, NASA's fourth and final Great Observatory will soon set its high-tech infrared eyes on, among other celestial objects, the dusty discs surrounding stars where planets are born.

While other ground- and space-based telescopes have spied these swirling "circumstellar" discs, both young and old, they have missed middle-aged discs for various reasons. The Space Infrared Telescope Facility's unprecedented sensitivity and resolution will allow it to fill in this gap and in the process answer fundamental questions regarding how planets, including those resembling Earth, may form.

"With the Space Infrared Telescope Facility, we anticipate seeing many planetary discs at all stages of development," says Dr. Karl Stapelfeldt of JPL, a scientist with the mission. "By studying how they change over time, we may be able to determine what conditions favor planet formation."

Related Links Space Infrared Telescope Facility SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express EXO WORLDS First Extrasolar Planets, Then Extrasolar Moonss Paris (ESA) Oct 09, 2003 ESA is now planning a mission that can detect moons around planets outside our Solar System, those orbiting other stars. --------------------------------------------------------- New from Telescopes.com! It's new. And it's downright terrific! Celestron's CPC Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is the scope you've been waiting for! It offers new alignment technology, advanced engineering, and bold new design at a new, low price! In fact, Celestron's Professional Computerized (CPC) scope with revolutionary SkyAlign Alignment Technology redefines everything that amateur astronomers are looking for. It offers quick and simple alignment, GPS technology, unsurpassed optical quality, ease of use, advanced ergonomics, enhanced computerization and, most important, affordability. Want to view M-31 tonight? One button takes you there! Shop for telescopes online at Telescopes.com! today! ------------------------------------------------------------