The discovery of a new exoplanet by a team of researchers from Qatar, working with their international counterparts, may not be something too special per se. After all, we have observed hundreds of exoplanets over the past years similar to this one already. However, it is the process behind the discovery that is really interesting.

In a blogpost over at the science and religion focused blog Irtiqa, Nidhal Guessoum, an astrophysicist and professor of Physics at American University of Sharjah, discusses with excellent insight the importance of the discovery of the new planet Qatar-1b by a team lead by Qatari astronomer and research Khalid Al Subai.

Guessoum explains that, unlike most science papers involving Arab authors that are published in reputable international journals, Al Subai’s name actually appears at the top of the list of authors as the principal investigator.

He also mentions that this research represents a shift in the usual focus of research funded by Gulf states. Such basic research is not very popular in this region of the world, where the majority of funding goes to applied research.

And this is what I find most interesting about the discovery. Basic research is the key to the Arab world’s bid to create a science culture. Discoveries like this may not have direct, tangible benefits to the community. But on the long run, they can be invaluable to scientific progress. It is the daily interaction between scientists in basic research institutes that has in the past generated sparks for the best inventions and technologies.

Additionally, there is no shortcut to applied research. Ahmed Zewail, 1999 Chemistry Nobel Laureate, notes in his commentary in Nature that Charles Townes development of the laser was driven at the start by basic research in microwave spectroscopy and how to amplify light.

While Qatar-1b is a mostly unremarkable planet, its discovery is still very important. Discovery of similar “hot Jupiter” planets (which are the easiest to find) can lead to discovery of harder planets. Maybe even an Earth-like planet somewhere along the line. Everything has a start and no research is “unimportant”.

Moreover, discovery of new planets in general is exciting science. Most laypeople may not be very interested to learn about the discovery of a new biochemical reaction or a new gene, but space and the stars always capture everyone’s fascination.

That is why discoveries such as Qatar-1b, besides ensuring a sense of national pride, can spur an interest in science in a region that has been far from science for far too long.

It is such events that may trigger a thirst for science in younger generations that can last for many years in the future.

Qatar-1b may be unremarkable when compared to the more than 500 exoplanets already discovered, but it is very remarkable as the first planet discovered by an Arab-lead team.