Helios, a giant illuminated artwork by artist Luke Jerram measuring seven metres, will be on display suspended in the cathedral until the end of the month.
Schoolchildren and local groups have already begun to gather under the sun for events and learning, including a skin cancer charity that teaches sun safety to schools. Other events under the sun include music and talks and are part of the cathedral and diocese’s wider centenary programme.
The installation is named after the Greek god of the Sun and has been scaled so each centimetre represents 2,000km (1,242 miles) of the star’s surface.
The Dean of Derby, the Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, said:
‘Helios is a spectacular way to begin our centenary year, inviting people to experience Derby Cathedral from a new perspective.”
The artwork has been created using high-resolution imagery by astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green and data from Nasa. It is this scientific accuracy that allows visitors to see features such as sunspots, filaments and regions linked to solar flares, which create the Northern Lights in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Helios is the third installation in Derby Cathedral by the same artist, after record number of visitors came to experience the Museum of the Moon and Gaia.
It is the first of many events celebrating the Diocese of Derby’s centenary year between October and the end of 2027 which will include art, music, heritage and community projects to reflect the building’s significance, both past and present.
These include an exhibition to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Bess of Hardwick, whose tomb lies in the cathedral, and a music festival in May in partnership with Sinfonia Viva, to celebrate the site’s musical heritage.
Derby Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of All Saints was founded in 943AD, It is celebrating 100 years since the formation of Derby Diocese.
