STARS have heaped praise on the UK's largest planetarium, which opened in Winchester yesterday.

Author Terry Pratchett officially opened the new £650,000 facility, with TV stargazer Sir Patrick Moore, pictured, among the fascinated onlookers.

The new 176-seat theatre, 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 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."

Sir Patrick Moore added: "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 17x17-metre screen, will allow the science centre to screen a variety of astronomy shows, from presenter-led displays for schools to licensed prerecorded films.

The state-of-the-art theatre was made possible by a £650,000 grant from the South East England Development Agency last year.