Most of the truly fundamental questions in science involve the concept
of ''origins' in one way or another. Progress on experimental, observ
ational and theoretical grounds over the past few decades, have led to
the development of a paradigm for the origin of the solar system. The
significance of this paradigm is that it links inextricably the forma
tion of stars and the existence of planetary systems; it makes specifi
c, and therefore, testable predictions as to the general features of p
lanetary systems. An inescapable consequence of this paradigm is that
planetary systems should be found in association with many, perhaps mo
st, stars. At the time of this writing, however, there is as yet no co
nfirmed observational evidence for the existence of another planetary
system. This does not mean that the paradigm is faulty, nor does it im
ply an absence of progress. Indeed, the opposite is the case, and pros
pects for the future are;excellent. NASA is progressing with a program
, starting with an aggressive ground-based effort, to be followed with
an astrometric system in low-Earth orbit. Visions beyond that include
observatories on the Moon. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
. All rights reserved.