Topics: saturn, scenic rim astronomy association

TONIGHT'S the night to get up close and personal with the most recognisable planet in our solar system.

The Scenic Rim Astronomy Association is hosting Saturn Night - appropriately tonight - in Ivor Marsden Park in Leichhardt.

Saturn was the Roman name for Cronus, the lord of the titans in Greek mythology, and is the root of the English word Saturday.

Made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, Saturn is the second largest planet, behind Jupiter, and big enough to hold more than 760 Earths.

Although Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune also have rings, those of Saturn are the most extraordinary.

Galileo was the first to see Saturn's rings in 1610. They are made of particles, mostly dirty ice, from small grains to big boulders, believed to be debris left over from comets, asteroids or shattered moons.

Saturn is the farthest planet from Earth visible to the naked human eye so it is a great wonder to study with a telescope.

Tonight, Scenic Rim Astronomy Association members will provide a range of telescopes, looking at a variety of night sky wonders.

Children and adults are welcome. It's a no light night; it will be dark when you arrive so look for red lights and members will direct you from the gate.

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Astronomy group puts the focus on Saturn for visitors