"That Wesleyan was recognized by NASA with this grant is further evidence of the important research being done at this institution," said DeLauro. "This funding will aid Wesleyan’s ongoing studies, which have already provided numerous advancements in the field of astronomy."

The funding will support a long-standing research project at Wesleyan in it’s astronomy department that monitors "young stars" looking for a link between their behavior and planetary origin, according to a press release.

"I am greatly appreciative to NASA for providing this funding and would especially like to thank Wesleyan students and observatory staff who make this research possible," said Dr. William Herbst, who oversees the program. "I am excited to be able to carry on this study, which will help us discover where we came from."

The program began in 1995 as a group of Wesleyan undergraduate students led by Herbst discovered a star that behaved unlike any other star in history. The KH 15D star, as it was named, faded out every 48 days and remained faint for 18 days.

Astronomers determined that dust, rocks and debris swirling around the star caused the light to fade. The particles, of which planets are made, could reveal the dynamics of planet evolution as a newborn planet may be forming, according to the release.

To contact Szymon Twarog, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 220 or e-mail stwarog@middletownpress.com.