Helios: Luke Jerram’s 7-metre wide sun sculpture arrives at National Museum Cardiff for the summer

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A giant seven-metre installation of the sun has arrived at National Museum Cardiff for the summer – and it’s really impressive.

Luke Jerram’s Helios opened to the public this week, a breathtaking illuminated sculpture of the Sun created using detailed NASA imagery.

You won’t miss it, you can see the glow even before you’ve walked through the doors into the museum’s iconic foyer.

Following the huge success of Museum of the Moon earlier this year, the glowing sculpture lets you look closely at the Sun’s surface and spot fascinating details, like sunspots and solar flares. You can look at it from all angles, underneath, from the side and even from above if you head to the museum’s upper galleries.

The light slowly changes and there’s an immersive soundscape accompanying the sun, part art, part science, with information boards telling you more about the sun, and artwork inspired by the ancient Greek Sun god.

Every centimetre of the installation represents 2,000 kilometres of the Sun, and there’s even a scale model of Earth to really put it into perspective. We are a tiny planet in comparison.

Helios is at National Museum Cardiff until Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Helios is free to visit although it’s recommended to book a general admission ticket in advance for guaranteed entry. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. It is closed on Mondays, although open on the bank holiday.

Helios brings with it a packed summer programme for families, plus a few adult-only events, including:

Science of the Sun with Jon Chase

Saturday 8 August, 10.30am and 1pm

£8 adults, £7 children, book in advance

Science communicator, rapper and children’s presenter Jon Chase explores the wonders of our nearest star through an engaging mix of science, storytelling and music. In this exploration of the science behind the Sun, Jon blends hip-hop rap with interesting facts, Jon Chase has an intense passion for scientific thinking and believes that knowledge should be made accessible to all.

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Museum Sleepover Under Helios

Saturday 22 (5.30pm) until the morning of Sunday 23 August

From £70 per person, suitable for ages 6-11 and their families

A night under Helios. Take a torch-lit tour to explore Wales as it was 200 million years ago when dinosaurs ruled the land. Say hello to some prehistoric pals in a Dino show, get creative in our craft workshops inspired by the Sun, watch a film in the historic Reardon Smith theatre, breakfast before gaining access to the museum galleries.

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Museum Lates: Solar Eclipse

Wednesday 12 August, free, book in advance

Experience Luke Jerram’s 7-metre-wide sun sculpture after hours and wander through the galleries to enjoy world-class art and natural history, before heading out to view the solar eclipse around 7pm

Sunset Yoga sessions with Eleri Morgan

Fridays 24, 31 July, 7, 14, 21 and 28 August, 6pm

£15, book in advance, some sessions are already sold out

Age guidance 18+,

Wind down beneath the majesty of Helios.

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Sun-inspired activities

Clore Discovery Centre

Free activities including a summer trail, and make your own solar eclipse viewer.

Museum Lates

Saturdays 1 and 29 August, 6pm-10pm, free book tickets in advance

Experience the work of artist Luke Jerram as the sun slowly sets over the city. Wander through the galleries and enjoy world-class art and natural history, before returning to experience Helios as the sun goes down. 

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Quiet Sessions

Saturday 25 July, 8.45am; Friday 30 July 5.30pm, Tuesday 4 August 8.45am; Saturday 15 August 5.30pm; Thursday 20 August 5.30pm; Saturday 29 August, 8.45am

Free, book tickets in advance

A peaceful, low sensory environment designed to reduce noise and distractions. Ticketed to ensure visitor numbers are kept at a comfortable level, no background music, allocated quiet rooms available, ear defenders and sensory backpacks, wheelchairs available to borrow, tannoys turned off, hand dryers in the toilets turned off and more adaptions.

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Helios is at National Museum Cardiff until Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Entry is free but advance booking is recommended as it is expected to be popular. Book online for general museum admission and special events here.