Helios at Derby Cathedral
Helios at Derby Cathedral: Bringing the Sun to the Heart of Derby
Derby Cathedral’s centenary celebrations are getting off to a bright start this October with the arrival of Helios, a spectacular seven-metre model of the Sun created by artist Luke Jerram.
Running from 20–31 October 2026, this impressive installation brings together art, science and music inside one of Derby’s most iconic landmarks.
Suspended inside the cathedral, Helios showcases incredible images of the Sun, captured using NASA observations and photographs by astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green. Visitors can see fascinating details, including sunspots and enormous solar filaments, brought to life with lighting and a specially created soundtrack.
At approximately 1:200 million scale, the installation gives a real sense of the Sun’s size, with a small model of Earth nearby to put things into perspective.
Helios is open to visitors of all ages, with special educational activities planned for schoolchildren to help them learn more about the Sun and the science behind the artwork. Whilst entry is free, a donation of £5 is suggested to enjoy Helios.
The installation has been made possible thanks to the support of local sponsors, including Vaillant Group UK (Gold sponsor), Cosy Foundation (Silver sponsor), and HR News & Off Licence, Scenariio, Oviso and Cloud Next (Bronze sponsors). Additional support comes from Cathedral Quarter BID, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Friends of Derby Cathedral and All Saints Derby Charity/All Saints Trust.
It's a fantastic opportunity to experience something awe-inspiring and unique in Derby, so make sure you visit before Helios leaves on 31 October!
