A spectacular 23-foot-wide illuminated sculpture representing the Sun has been installed at Plymouth's Market Hall in Devonport, bringing celestial wonder to visitors in a safe and accessible format. The monumental artwork, called Helios, was created by internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram and offers viewers a unique opportunity to observe the Sun's surface without the risk of eye damage.

The impressive installation features a massive inflatable sphere that spans seven meters in diameter and is enhanced by carefully designed audio elements including dawn chorus sounds and recordings from solstice celebrations. "We're not normally allowed to look at the Sun because it's so damaging to our eyes, this artwork lets people see the surface of the Sun, in a safe and beautiful way," Jerram explained during the installation.

Jerram, whose portfolio includes large-scale sculptures of Earth and the Moon that have toured cathedrals worldwide, created Helios to complete what he calls his celestial trilogy. "I was interested in making a Sun, but I wanted it to be quite different," the artist said. "The National Trust got very excited about the idea, and commissioned the piece. It's since toured stately homes across the UK and has been really well received."

The choice of Plymouth's architecturally striking Market Hall represents a departure from Helios's previous venues at grand stately homes. "It's a practical challenge, the sculpture is seven meters in diameter, so you need a building big enough to house it," Jerram noted. "But I also want these artworks to reach broad and diverse audiences, and the Market Hall is perfect for that."

The surface of Helios was meticulously crafted using more than 40,000 high-resolution images of the actual Sun, creating an incredibly detailed and scientifically accurate representation. Jerram dedicated six months to developing the sophisticated internal lighting system that gives the sphere its dynamic, rippling glow, mimicking the Sun's natural movement and energy.

To help visitors understand the true scale of our solar system, the installation includes a 2.3-inch model of Earth positioned alongside the massive Sun sculpture. "When you see that tiny Earth and realize how small and fragile we are, it really puts things into perspective," Jerram added, emphasizing the educational value of the artistic experience.

The public can view Helios at the Market Hall free of charge through September 28, making this astronomical artwork accessible to all members of the community. The installation continues Jerram's mission to bring large-scale celestial art to diverse audiences while providing both aesthetic beauty and scientific education.