Helios by Luke Jerram

A seven-metre illuminated model of the sun by artist Luke Jerram, combining NASA imagery, animated lighting and sound, is displayed at Derby Cathedral.

Luke Jerram's touring installation Helios brings a seven-metre glowing sphere of the sun to Derby Cathedral, built to an approximate scale of 1:200 million with a tiny model of Earth nearby to show the scale difference. The artwork combines imagery from NASA observations and photographs by astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green with animated lighting and a specially created soundtrack, revealing features such as sunspots and solar filaments. Interactive activities linked to the installation are available for Key Stage 1 and 2 schoolchildren and visitors of all ages, and the display marks the start of the Cathedral's centenary celebrations ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2027.