Step Inside Plymouth’s Glowing 23ft Sun Sphere Spectacle!

A remarkable new art installation has arrived in Plymouth, and it is turning heads at the Market Hall in Devonport. The internationally known artist Luke Jerram has created Helios, a massive inflatable sphere that represents the Sun. Measuring 23 feet across, Helios is illuminated from within and features detailed textures and colors that mimic the Sun's surface. The experience is enhanced by audio effects, including the sounds of birds at dawn and music from solstice celebrations. Jerram explained that his artwork allows people to safely view the Sun's surface, something that is impossible with the real Sun because it can damage our eyes.

Helios is attracting a wide range of visitors to the Market Hall. Some people stand close to the sphere, pointing out its features, while others observe from a distance, taking in the vivid yellows and oranges that represent solar flares and sunspots. Luke Jerram is known for his large-scale sculptures of the Earth and Moon, which have been displayed in cathedrals around the world. He said that Helios was inspired by his desire to complete a trilogy of celestial bodies. The National Trust was enthusiastic about the idea and commissioned the piece, which has already toured stately homes across the UK and received positive feedback.

Now, Helios is being displayed in the architecturally impressive Market Hall in Devonport. Jerram noted that finding a venue large enough to house the seven-meter-wide sculpture was a challenge, but he also wanted the artwork to be accessible to a diverse audience, and the Market Hall is ideal for that purpose. The surface of Helios was created using over 40,000 high-resolution images of the Sun, and Jerram spent six months developing the internal lighting system to give the sphere a dynamic, rippling glow. To help visitors understand the scale of the Sun, the installation includes a tiny model of the Earth, just 2. 3 inches wide. Jerram said that seeing the small Earth next to the enormous Sun helps people realize how small and fragile our planet is. Helios will be open to the public at the Market Hall until September 28, and admission is free.