It is precisely this sort of work that led to the discovery of asteroid 2012 DA14 last February by a team of Spanish astronomers.

CNN: Meteor shows why it is crucial to keep an eye on the sky

The discovery of a dozen of these extra-solar planets in the past three years in no way diminishes astronomers' delight in each new discovery.

CNN: Astronomers spy new neighbors outside solar system

Although the discovery was published only this week, many astronomers have heard the result and now consider that the life story of the pulsars has been clearly established.

ECONOMIST: The dizziest, giddiest stars

Earlier this month, astronomers using the Hungarian-made Automated Telescope Network announced the discovery of four more massive worlds, each one orbiting a separate star.

WSJ: Galaxy Hosts 100 Billion Planets, in New Estimate

Earlier this month, astronomers using the Hungarian-made Automated Telescope Network announced the discovery of four more massive alien worlds, each one orbiting a separate star.

WSJ: Galaxy Hosts 100 Billion Planets, in New Estimate

And this discovery was made not by professionals, but by a network of amateur astronomers spread throughout the world, using back-garden telescopes and swapping their data via the internet.

ECONOMIST: Astronomers may have found their first Saturn lookalike