KATHMANDU:

It was an interesting moment on the evening of February 24 for the students of astronomy and others who got to see the planet Saturn in opposition to Earth, that is, when Earth stood between Saturn and the sun, which illuminated the ringed planet more. This happens once in a year.

Nepal Astronomical Society also organised an event at Allied Co-Ed School, Bishalnagar, to let the students of the school and some visitors catch a view of the illuminated planet through a 400x telescope.

Over 50 students, including a number of children, had gathered at the school terrace, all excited to see the planet. It was the first time for most.

“Do you notice the ring?” questioned a teacher to a small student sitting on a stool to reach the telescope’s viewpoint. “Yes, I see that ‘pointed thing’,” he replied and ran off to his friends describing the sight.

Students who had expected a sensational sight were disappointed, as the view was only small, and some were also left confused.

But most enjoyed the view, especially on seeing the clearly visible ring. A treat indeed.

However, the telescope was often displaced and the coordinator of the event Jayant Acharya had to keep adjusting the telescope.