More info on planet detection, space missions (Score 2)

Popular Science has some recent articles discussing planet detection as well.

They cover the announcement of the two smallest extra-solar planets discovered to date (announced Wednesday) here.

They also have an article that summarizes techniques for planet detection (including SIM and the TPF, among others) here. This article also offers some insights into the challenges of actually sending probes to these remote places, with some possible (and definitely futuristic) suggestions.