Luke Jerram's 23ft sun artwork Helios Derry-bound for NI Science Festival

Luke Jerram's 'Helios' will come to the city in February 2027 hot on the heels of his ‘Gaia’ - his 3D sculpture of planet Earth – entrancing visitors at Derry’s Guildhall throughout the Halloween Festival.

The Northern Ireland Science Festival is returning for its 13th year, and will open at the Guildhall on February 15 with a welcome from Professor Lucie Green, a solar scientist and adviser on the project. Visitors will have three weeks to experience Jerram’s latest astronomical artwork.

Festival Director Sarah Jones said: “This will be the first time ‘Helios’ is displayed in Northern Ireland and there couldn’t be a more perfect addition to our programme.”

“Combining the science of the Sun with exceptional artistic creativity, it will give everyone chance to see our nearest star in a way they’ve never seen it before. If people loved their experience with ‘Gaia’, they’ll be blown away by Helios.”

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the sculpture is designed at a scale of around one to 200 million, with every centimetre representing 2,000km of the Sun’s surface.

To create the surface – complete with sunspots, jets of gas and the origins of solar flares – Jerram combined NASA observations and a total of 400,000 images from astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green.

Sarah Jones added: “The exhaustive research and careful collaboration between science and art makes it one of the most exciting events on the festival calendar for 2027. We recently saw the public’s fascination for this year’s once-in-a-generation solar eclipse, so we expect a lot of interest in seeing Helios up close.”

Artist Luke Jerram says a longstanding relationship with Derry, where not just ‘Gaia’ but a number of his works including ‘Sky Orchestra', 'Lullaby’ and ‘Museum of the Moon’ have been displayed.

He said: “The Guildhall is a fantastic venue, one that will give visitors a chance to get up close and inspect the extraordinary detail of the Sun’s surface. As well as highlighting the science of our nearest star, Helios gives us the chance to consider its significance in all our lives – the light, warmth and energy it supplies for our planet, as well as the part it’s played in inspiring culture and religion throughout history, all around the world.”

Mayor Grace Uí Niallais said she expected visitors will flock to view the piece.

“I am so looking forward to the return of the NI Science Festival and the opportunity to inspire and encourage people of all ages to engage with science in a unique and accessible way. Helios promises to be a truly spectacular experience and another wonderful opportunity to showcase Derry and Strabane as a destination where culture, creativity and learning come together.”