Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22: The stage is set for the prestigious Young Astronomer Talent Search (Yats).

The event provides aspiring astronomers an opportunity to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and rub shoulders with top scientists of the country.

This competition is meant for students between Class VIII and Class X.

Started by Pathani Samanta Planetarium in 2007 under the department of science and technology in collaboration with Tata Steel, the competition is aimed at inspiring budding talents to explore the mysteries of space and develop interest in fundamental science.

The contest has three rounds of selection.

In the preliminary round, students need to send a write-up on 'Building a Base on Mars' in 500 words. Selected students are nominated for participation in zonal camps with their models on the same theme in the second round.

This year the location of zonal camps are - Jajpur, Keonjhar, Joda, Berhampur, Balasore, Belpahar, Jeypore and Bhubaneswar.

When best models are selected, the students have to exhibit them in Bhubaneswar during the finale.

Finally, 20 best students are selected and felicitated on the occasion of birth anniversary of Pathani Samanta on December 13. They are then taken on an exposure visit to one of the centres of Isro.

Minister of higher education, science and technology Pradip Kumar Panigrahy on September 19 formally launched the 9th edition of Yats 2015-16.

The minister unveiled information dockets on Yats 2015-16, besides formally launching a dedicated website on Yats.

"Yats will help bring scientific temper among the school students of the state," said Panigrahy.