Event:
Astronomers have identified the nearest planet outside of our Solar System, Alpha Centauri B, which circles its star much closer than Mercury orbits our Sun
More Notable Events on October 17:
2006 United States population reaches 300 million people
1979 Mother Teresa of India, awarded Nobel Peace Prize
1979 President Carter signs legislation creating Department of Education
1960 U.S. and Britain sign accord for nuclear sub bases
1815 Napoleon arrives in St. Helena
