The planetarium, funded by a leading pharmaceutical company, was launched at an event at Cramlington Learning Village with the help of a Galileo lookalike.

Local schoolchildren and teachers were invited to see first hand the astronomy software and mirror projection system which includes films about space and a solar eclipse.

Martin Inskip, senior director of operations at Cramlington-based Merck Sharp & Dohme, which donated £16,000 to STEMPOINT Northumberland towards the equipment, said: "MSD's mission is to develop medicines that help to improve human health.

"Inspiring young scientists and building talent is therefore the lifeblood of our company – from research through to the manufacturing we carry out at Cramlington.

"It is therefore essential that we support the next generation of young scientists, as well as MSD's contribution to both the UK and north east economy.

"We hope that through the MSD Planetarium, we will help to make science accessible and exciting, as well as provide children across
Northumberland with a lot of fun while learning."

Helen Weddle, STEMPOINT co-ordinator for Northumberland, said: "It is essential that we motivate young people about science and engineering and the new mobile planetarium will do just that.

"By providing an exciting and interactive astronomy experience we hope it will spark their enthusiasm for these subjects.

"Without the donation from MSD this project would not have been possible, so we are delighted to have received this funding.

"Pupils from across Northumberland will be able to travel through the solar system."