The journey of young astronomers from Odisha to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad has officially begun, marking a significant milestone in their scientific pursuits. The winners of Tata Steel’s Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) 2023, selected from over 300 schools across 30 districts, have set off on an exciting adventure to explore the Space Applications Centre (SAC) and the Science City.
Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, along with Tata Steel Chief Resident Executive Debasis Jena and Principal Secretary Science & Technology Chithra Arumugam, flagged off the journey from the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. Minister Patra commended the young winners for their achievement and expressed confidence in their potential to contribute to the field of space science.
Chithra Arumugam, Chairperson of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, praised the students for their selection from a pool of 80,000 participants and emphasized the importance of initiatives like YATS in nurturing scientific curiosity. Tata Steel’s Chief Resident Executive, Debasis Jena, highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting industry-academia collaboration and supporting young talents in pursuing their astronomical dreams.
The students, who were selected during the Grand Finale of YATS, will have the opportunity to explore the SAC labs, interact with leading space scientists, and visit the Science City to delve deeper into the realms of astronomy and space science. The theme for this year’s edition, “The Moon Base – Future Launchpad for Space,” promises an exciting exploration of cosmic possibilities and ignites the imagination of the participants.
YATS, a flagship event hosted by Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium, has been instrumental in fostering awareness of astronomy and space science among young enthusiasts in Odisha. With over 17 years of successful editions, YATS has inspired over 350,000 students, with 200 having the privilege of visiting various ISRO facilities. The program continues to inspire and empower the next generation of astronomers and space scientists in the state.