(Edited from Associated Press, El Paso, TX 12/03/02.)  An "oddball" solar system with a star about a third the size of the sun and a planet twice the size of Jupiter has been studied for the first time.  "We're going to see what types of stars form certain types of planets," said lead researcher Fritz Benedict, a McDonald Observatory astronomer. "Do big stars form big planets, and small stars form small planets?
       We now know that a small star can form a big planet."  The technique used, involved multiple extremely precise measurements of the star's location as it wobbles, which is caused by the gravitational pull of the orbiting planet.  Researchers measured the slight wobble of "Gliese 876" and then used the magnitude of that motion to determine the size and shape of the planet's orbit and its mass.  "We have conclusively established the planetary nature of the (star's) companion," Benedict said.  New instruments, in particular those on the Space Interferometry Mission, a space telescope scheduled for launch in 2009, will allow hundreds of similar measurements speeding up the cosmic census that ultimately is expected to reveal Earthlike planets.
       Alan Boss, of the Carnegie Institute, said, "When you find a  long-orbit planet like Jupiter, there could be room inside for there to be an Earth." Boss said. The current research "really bodes well for what's com-ing in the future."  Benedict said the technique allows measurement of angles equivalent to the size of a quarter seen from 3,000 miles away, which is one-half of a milli-arcsecond.  That accuracy combined with previous measurements allowed researchers to determine the planet's mass, he said.
       Gliese 876, which was the closest of the known star-planet candidates, is about 15 light years from Earth, Benedict said.

       The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) announces a unique fundraising auction - an observing night at the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawai'i with internationally renowned astronomer Dr. Geoff Marcy.  The highlight of the five day/four night trip for two is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a night in the Keck I control room with Dr. Marcy and his team during one of his scheduled observing runs in 2003. Dr. Marcy will host dinner that evening, and the winner will be able to sleep overnight at the VSQ (Visiting Scientists' Quarters), which is open only to astronomers. The auction package includes round trip airfare for two, resort accommodations, car rental, meals, and a behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the W.M. Keck Observatory conducted by a Keck staff member.  Potential bidders can visit the ASP Web site at http://auction@astrosociety.org immediately to get full information and to be notified exactly when the auction will begin.
       The auction will be held in mid-January 2003 on eBay. The winner can schedule the trip to coincide with any of Dr. Marcy's scheduled observing nights in 2003. During first half of 2003 the dates are: February 15, May 17, June 12-15, July 7 and July 11-13. The observing schedule for the second half of 2003 will be published in June 2003.  The Keck I and II twin 10-meter telescopes are the world's largest optical telescopes, located at the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, at an altitude of 13,796 feet. The observatory headquarters, Visiting Scientists' Quarters, and control rooms are located in Waimea, at about 2,500 feet.  Dr. Marcy, of the University of California, Berkeley, and his research team are the world's premier planet hunters, having uncovered more than seventy of the approximately 100 extrasolar planets found to date. The team monitors the spectra of over 1,200 stars and recently found a planetary system that bears some resemblance to our own, with a planet in an orbit similar to Jupiter's orbiting a Sun-like star.  "I'm looking forward to observing with the auction winner as we continue our search for extra-solar planets," said Dr. Marcy. "Every time you have the privilege to point one of the giant Keck telescopes skyward it feels like you're embarking on an epic voyage of discovery. You feel a kinship with Galileo, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Newton, Hubble and so many others driven to explore the boundaries of the universe. And, on a practical level, the auction is a wonderful way to contribute to the ASP's programs that build science literacy, inspire kids, and nurture the next generation of scientists and astronomers."
       The auction is a fundraising event for the ASP's nationwide education programs. These include The Universe in the Classroom, a free, Web-based newsletter for teachers, the Society's Web site with extensive resources for educators, Project ASTRO astronomer/teacher partnerships in cities around the country, and the Society's public information program, which responds to thousands of information requests every year from students of all ages. 
       "The ASP wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Marcy and to the staff of the W.M. Keck Observatory for making this unique fundraising event possible. We simply can't thank them enough," said Michael Bennett, ASP Executive Director.  "Furthermore, the ASP is pleased to donate five percent of the winning bid to the amateur astronomy club of the winner's choice," added Bennett. "We want to demonstrate our support for the amateur astronomy community and their important outreach and educational efforts." 
       About the Astronomical Society of the Pacific:  Founded in 1889, the non-profit Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) has grown far beyond the regional institution implied in its name to become the world's largest general astronomy organization, with members in all 50 states and over 70 countries. Bringing together professional astronomers, amateur astronomers and science educators over the last 114 years, the ASP has become an acknowledged leader in astronomy education at all levels and a respected source of astronomical information for the general public. The ASP produces several important general, technical, and educational publications, including the bimonthly Mercury magazine for all ASP members, the technical journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the ASP Conference Series, The Universe in the Classroom teachers' newsletter, and others. In furtherance of its mission in astronomy education, the ASP developed the NSF-funded Project ASTRO, a nationwide program that partners amateur and professional astronomers with teachers and classrooms. The Society also produces an extensive catalog of astronomy-related products for educators, amateur astronomers, and the public.

       Dale Evans forwards a notice from Ed Grafton about a persistent storm on Saturn.  This storm is the largest/brightest in a series of storms seen in the last few weeks.  It is difficult to estimate what the visibil-ity of the storm will be in the coming days but it will be well placed for viewing with the spot near the central meridian just before or around local midnight on December 26th and December 30th.  Excellent seeing conditions will be needed to see the storm visually in 8-10inch and larger scopes.  You can see good images at http://www.ghg.net/egrafton/s12-22c.jpg.

       Sky & Telescope reports that Japanese amateurs discovered a comet designated Kudo-Fujikawa on De-cember 14, 2002.  The comet is now in Hercules, shining at about mag 7, located below the “keystone” about 15 to 20 deg above the east-northeast horizon.  You’ll need to look before dawn, about 6:00 AM.  For more information, see http://skyandtelescope.com.  Good hunting!