Technological Breakthrough:"Nuller" Helps Find Planets

Extra-Solar planets are all the rage these days. So far they've found about 150 of the things, all sizes and shapes, some with potential moons of their own. Everyone wants to be the first to image an Earth-like planet though, but nobody has. I know I wouldn't mind the honor, but being unemployed, I'm currently not involved in any projects loftier than vacuuming or changing diapers.
However, the people who are involved in such things have managed to dim the light from distant stars, allowing dimly lit dust particles to be seen. Basically, these dust clouds will help scientists choose which stars might harbor planets. In a few years, when the NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder mission is in full swing, they'll be selecting sights based on the findings acquired using the "nuller."
If you want to know more about the "nuller" ask the people who thought it up: NASA Engineers working at Hawaii's Keck Observatory.