http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/telescope-tech.html

Synopsis: the Very Large Telescope Interferometer is about to enjoy the
addition of new interferometry technology that should enable the devices
located in Chile to detect Earth-sized planets from the light they reflect,
rather than from their gravitational interaction with their star. The US
started with a significant lead in the technology, but when funding dried
up the project that was slated to be completed four years ago in Hawaii
got stalled.

I suppose it doesn't really matter which national group gets to announce
the discovery of the first exosolar planet found using this method, but the
fact that they seem to be falling behind in science and technology in one
area after another should worry citizens of the USA. Just a little bit.

-- 
  Helge Moulding
  mailto:[log in to unmask]                        Just another guy
  http://hmoulding.cjb.net/                        with a weird name