While they may look like no more than fuzzy dots, these are real pictures of other worlds. Over the last few years, astronomers have been learning how to accomplish the difficult task of directly imaging extrasolar planets and have now captured about half a dozen subjects.

Direct imaging is one of the next big vistas in astronomy. Soon, researchers will have telescopes that can focus in greater detail on these exoplanets, providing better information about their atmospheric composition and possibly even detecting the signatures of life.

“The only way we’re going to really nail down an Ear...

The Federal Trade Commission proposed Thursday to revamp its online child privacy rules to reflect the ubiquity of smartphones and geolocation services.

The proposed updates (.pdf) to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 were welcomed by many in the privacy community. They see the new proposal as a means to combat behavioral advertising targeting America’s youth. By contrast, Facebook, Microsoft, the Entertainment Software Association, the Toy Industry Association and others are arguing for self-regulation when it comes to targeted, online behavioral advertising.

The law in...