June 14, 2002

Astronomers for first time find planetary system of distant star that resembles Sun's family of planets in significant respects; host star of planetary system, 55 Cancri, is much like Sun in age and size; it has newly detected planet that resembles Jupiter in mass and, of greater importance, has orbit almost same as Jupiter's; in dynamics of solar system, Jupiter is pivotal in setting up conditions conducive to live on Earth; astronomers say it is not inconceivable that somewhere between Jupiter-like planet and its star orbits an Earth-like planet; findings are announced by Dr Geoffrey W Marcy of University of California at Berkeley, who led team, at news conference at National Aeronautics and Space Administration; drawing (M)

Cars of 1970's are coming of age as collectors' items, to appreciation and dismay of connoisseurs, in accordance with Antique Automobile Collectors Association rule that any car 25 years old or older is antique; ruling has opened door for generation of Pintos and Pacers to enter once-rarefied collecting arena, but not at every show; list of 1970's cars most popular with collectors; photos (M)

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Dave Anderson Sports of The Times column discusses challenging start of US Open at Bethpage Black Course (NY), where half of tournament's golfers begin at tenth tee instead of first in interest of speeding up Open; chart examines particularly difficult holes; photo; chart (M)

Floyd Norris column on stock market recovery rally that never materialized after recession ended in December; says from 1938 on, investors who bought stocks in Standard & Poor's 500 index six months before recession ended, and then held on until six months after end, always did well; says this time, what is usually sweet part of cycle for investors has turned sour; chart (M)