It's more like using the network of available computers to process the data a faster rate than the astronomers are able to.

If you think about it Eve Online covers pretty much all of the time zones and has around 20,000 members on at any time. The University of Geneva hardly has 20,000 members who are able to compile and process the large amount of data that the mainframe of Eve Online is able to compile and process.

People want to be part of something that is meaningful if not prophetic.

Being part of Exo Planet Hunting will be meaningful as well as prophetic as no other environment other than Eve Online has immersed its Capsuleer's in the reality of space exploration.

Some in-game rewards though are in order such as:

Exo Planet Hunting attire
Exo Planet Hunting skins
Exo Planet Hunting ships and modules

Out of game rewards:

Exo Planet Hunters Jacket
Exo Planet Hunters Mens underwear
Exo Planet Hunters Woman's brazier
Exo Planet Hunters Watch Cap and Ball Cap
Exo Planet Hunters Patch

I have been part of few exo planet hunting programs that are really fun and interesting.

I think I even found a black hole as there was an area of space about the size of a half dollar coin with light all around it. A normal sun would appear in the same manner but with the circle of the sun appearing in the center of it.