Much like the original SETI screensaver, a company called PlanetQuest is hoping to borrow your processor for space research.

PlanetQuest developers are currently preparing to test the Collaboratory software for the first time. It will work like this: Volunteers will install the software on their computers, at which point it will automatically download packets of data from the PlanetQuest database. The data will be compiled from images of stars taken by telescopes around the planet.

The project involves looking for mathematical signatures of planets, in hopes of discovering new ones. The payoff: if you find a planet, you get to name it! Project owners estimate 1 in 3000 to 1 in 5000 users will discover a planet. (link)