STARS have heaped praise on the UK's largest planetarium, which opened in Winchester today (Wednesday).

Terry Pratchett, amateur astronomer and children's science fiction author, officially opened the new £650,000 facility, with Sir Patrick Moore among the fascinated onlookers.

The new 176-seat theatre, which is housed in a dome at Winchester's INTECH Science Centre, will immerse visitors among planets, asteroids and galaxies, and will allow them to be navigated through the entire known universe in real time.

Speaking after a demonstration at the venue, Mr Pratchett, said: "I thought it was amazing.

"My imagination got fired by going to a planetarium when I was a child. I think it's quite important to get kids interested in who we are and why we're here."

Adding his voice to the view that the planetarium is important for educating young people, Sir Patrick Moore, said: "The young enthusiasts of today are our researchers of tomorrow. The planetarium is a great thing for the area and the country."

The technology, which boasts six computer-controlled projectors, a 15,000-watt sound system and a 17 by 17 metre screen, will allow the science centre to screen a variety of astronomy shows, from presenter-led displays for schools to licensed pre-recorded films.

Phil Winfield, INTECH director, said: "What we have got here is something really special - we can see fully rendered planets and galaxies.

"Terry Pratchett was inspired by astronomy as a young person and that's exactly what we want to do at INTECH - inspire young people."

Mr Winfield said they had always wanted to have a planetarium at the Morn Hill attraction since opening in 2002. But the project had to be put on hold because of a lack of funds - the state-of-the-art theatre was only made possible by a £650,000 grant from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), last year.