Bristol Cathedral will be illuminated this October as internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram unveils Helios, a giant glowing sculpture of the sun, as part of BTF+ 2025.
The installation will go on display for the first time in Bristol from Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 October, offering visitors a rare chance to experience the sun in extraordinary detail, safely and up close.
A First for Bristol
Helios measures an impressive seven metres in diameter and uses high-resolution NASA imagery to depict the sun’s surface at a scale of 1:200 million. Each centimetre of the glowing sphere represents 2,000km of solar activity.
The work will transform the interior of Bristol Cathedral after dark into what organisers describe as an “immersive, otherworldly space”. Accompanied by a surround-sound composition from Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson, the artwork blends art, science and sound.
A Safe Way to See the Sun
The sculpture highlights the intricate details of the sun, including sunspots, spicules and filaments, as well as the source of solar flares that caused the Northern Lights to appear over the UK last year.
“It’s so exciting to present my new artwork at Bristol Cathedral for BTF+,” said Luke Jerram. “I spent all last winter perfecting the sun’s internal rippling light and so it’s great to now be able to present this new artwork in my home city.”
Part of BTF+ Festival
Helios forms part of the BTF+ Live track, a strand of performances and cultural moments taking place during the festival. Running from 6–11 October 2025, BTF+ is the new incarnation of the Bristol Technology Festival and promises a week-long celebration of technology, creativity and culture across the city. Key venues will include Bristol Beacon, The Old Vic and Bristol Cathedral, alongside smaller stages and spaces in the city’s Old City quarter. Festival co-founder Ben Shorrock said:
“BTF+ embodies everything that makes our city and wider region special – the collision of technology, creativity and culture – and Helios could not be a finer embodiment.”
The festival is delivered in partnership by TechSPARK, Bristol Creative Industries, MyWorld and long-time Bristol Technology Festival supporters Ghyston. The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol, added:
“This artwork gives us the opportunity for awe and wonder as we encounter our nearest star, with all its mystery and beauty.”
