Bhubaneswar, May 26: Twenty students had the experience of a lifetime when they got the opportunity to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) in Bangalore, and brush shoulders with scientists as part of the Young Astronomer Talent Search 2015-16.

The students, all of whom are in classes VIII to X, were selected from among 800 participants by experts in a three-level round of the annual talent search competition in eight zones across the state. The visit helped the students get the rare opportunity to learn about various aspects of operations at Isro and the evolution of Indian satellites.

Flagged off by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on May 8, the tour was led by Subhendu Pattnaik, deputy director of Pathani Samant Planetarium. They visited Isro Satellite Centre, which develops satellite technology and implementation of satellite systems.

Senior scientist H. L. Srinivasa guided the tour and spoke about the evolution of the satellite system of the country.

"We also visited the heritage centre and the Aerospace Museum of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, where we witnessed a rare display of aerial objects and a pictorial representation of the evolution of the aviation industry," said Naisargika, a student. The four-day tour also included a visit to the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, which displays priceless exhibits including a full-scale replica of the 1903 flyer of the Wright Brothers among other scientific wonders.

The Young Astronomer Talent Search, which began in 2007, was jointly organised by the Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, and Tata Steel, with an aim to highlight contributions of legendary Odia astronomer Pathani Samanta and to identify and encourage young talents from the state to take up careers in space science.