Definitive evidence of nearest extrasolar planet, universe proves much more habitable than previously thought and alien disinformation campaigns

Welcome! “Alien Life” tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. You may notice that this and future entries are shorter than usual; Career, family and book deal commitments have forced me to cut back some of my projects. Now, here’s today’s news:
g Abodes - See NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, in collaboration with ground-based observatories, has provided definitive evidence for the existence of the nearest extrasolar planet to our solar system. See NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, in collaboration with ground-based observatories, has provided definitive evidence for the existence of the nearest extrasolar planet to our solar system. See article.
g Message - The search for extraterrestrial intelligence could be taking the wrong approach. Instead of listening for alien radio broadcasts, a better strategy may be to look for giant structures placed in orbit around nearby stars by alien civilizations. See http://www.newscientist.com/channel/space/mg18624944.800.
g Cosmicus - At the beginning of the 21st century, our nation stands at a unique time in the history of exploration and discovery. Over the past decade, new evidence of resources on the moon, ancient water on Mars, oceans under the surface of the moons of Jupiter and planets around other stars indicates that our universe is much more habitable than previously thought. See http://ipp.nasa.gov/innovation/2-coverstory.html. Note: This article is from 2004.
g Learning - Here’s a neat classroom activity that teaches students about the potential benefits and costs of space missions. See http://
news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/teachers/citizenship_11_14/subject_
areas/scientific_development/newsid_3397000/3397051.stm.
g Imagining - Like first contact stories? Then be sure to read Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye’s “Treaty at Doona,” published by Ace in 1994.
g Aftermath - Add one more worry to the computerized world of the 21st century. Could a signal from the stars broadcast by an alien intelligence also carry harmful information, in the spirit of a computer virus? Could star folk launch a "disinformation" campaign - one that covers up aspects of their culture? Perhaps they might even mask the "real" intent of dispatching a message to other civilizations scattered throughout the Cosmos. See http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/space_hackers_031111.html. Note: This article is from 2003.