Space theatre set to be star attraction for city

The £1.5million planetarium at Glasgow Science Centre opened for a special preview today.

The planetarium - known officially known as the ScottishPower Space Theatre - has been delayed for months.

It will open to the public next Tuesday.

First visitors to the globe-shaped building in the main Science Mall will be treated to a "true to life" show about the night sky as seen from earth.

The planetarium will also put on laser and video shows on a range of astronomy-related subjects, complete with surround sound.

Science Centre bosses say it is the most modern planetarium in Europe.

There will be room for 120 visitors.

Today's preview was attended by broadcast astronomer and Millennium

Commissioner Dr Heather Couper and Professor John Brown, Scotland's Astronomer Royal.

The project had been delayed because the specialist contractors were involved in similar projects in other countries.

Science Centre spokesman David Grimmer said: "It's an incredible facility and when people visit they can expect to be blown away by what they see."

The planetarium received £500,000 from ScottishPower in a five-year sponsorship deal.

The delay to its opening was just one of a series of teething problems to hit the titanium-clad centre.

But good news came when it was named Newcomer of the Year in the Good Britain Guide 2002.