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Late night star-gazing: Young and old alike flocked to Birla Planetarium to have a glimpse of Saturn as it came nearest to earth.

        A wonderful sight, an experience like no other. These and more were the reactions of those who witnessed yesterday's celestial event when Saturn, the second biggest planet in the solar system, moved to a point 180 degrees away from the Sun, the most practically advantageous chance to observe the planet as it is at this configuration that the planet makes its closest approach to the earth.

        At this point, the planet is fully illuminated by the sun, and as a result, it appears brightest and largest. Though visible all night since it appears to rise at sunset and set at sunrise, Birla Planetarium at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre (PSTC), Gandhi Mandapam Road, arranged for a public view of the event between 6:30 pm and 10 pm when Earth is at its best vantage point to view the occurrence that happens once in about 378 days.

        Fathers and mothers with their children in tow flocked to the site to partake of the experience.

        'My son is interested in the study of celestial bodies and what is beyond the realms of the earth. This is a good opportunity for children like him who dream of pursuing a career in astro-physics in the future', said Nichikant Chowdry, an industrialist from Kilpauk. He came with his family and a few relatives and friends at around 9:45 pm and did not mind the long queue to one of the four telescopes provided by PSTC for people to be part of this rare occasion.

        'The sight of Saturn with its rings clearly visible is worth the long drive from Anna Nagar and standing in queue for more than an hour. It is commendable how scientists present at the site patiently explained the occurrence and its importance to the people who had come to visit,' said Madhuri, a mother of two boys.

        As fine weather prevailed, sans heavy clouds and thick smoke, visitors managed to have a clear view of the planet as a golden ball shining amid its rings with the moon Titan and the Cassini Division, the large gap between the rings. With a distance of 122 crore kilometres from the earth, the wondrous sight presented through high-powered, high resolutions telescopes gave visitors the satisfaction of viewing the planet clearly.

        Unlike other planets, Saturn has a spectacular system of rings that can only be viewed with all its magnificence when they are fully slanted towards the earth and when the icy pieces in the system reflect more sunlight. This natural event is said to occur again on 24 February 2008, however, the brightness of the planet, the apparent angular size and the tilt of the rings along our line of sight will be lesser during that time.