Pratchett to open planetarium

9:51pm Tuesday 5th February 2008

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STAR novelist Terry Pratchett will open the UK's largest planetarium at Winchester's INTECH Science Centre next month.

The popular science fiction and children's author will officially unveil the new £650,000 facility on Wednesday, March 19, before it's opened to the public two days later on Good Friday (March 21).

Bosses at the Morn Hill attraction said a planetarium had been a burning ambition since opening the science centre in 2002. The 176-seat theatre will feature a variety of astrology shows, including presenter-led displays for schools, licensed pre-recorded films and movies on topical space events, created by INTECH themselves.

Phil Winfield, INTECH director, said: "Terry Pratchett is a keen amateur astronomer and he was very excited about it.

"This is a unique facility for Winchester and to have the biggest planetarium built right here on our doorstep is a fantastic coup to have achieved. It puts Winchester on the map for something other than the cathedral."

For more information visit www.intech-uk.com