Sun sculpture displayed outside for first time

A sculpture of the sun is on display for the first time outside at a National Trust site.

Helios, a seven-metre spherical sculpture, can also be seen at Ickworth Estate in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, from Thursday to Sunday next week.

It was created by Luke Jerram, who was also behind the large-scale installations, Museum of the Moon and Gaia.

This was the first time the sculpture had been displayed in Suffolk as well as in the outdoors, and it has been suspended in front of the famous Rotunda on the National Trust estate.

The sculpture was due to be on display from now until Monday, but due to predicted wind speeds on both Sunday and Monday, a decision was made to cancel the event.

However National Trust said it would make a decision later on whether it will be available to view on Saturday.

The sculpture, which has been touring the UK, combines light, solar imagery and sounds recorded by NASA to replicate the sun.

One centimetre of the sculpture represents 200km (124.27 miles) of the sun's actual surface.

Mr Jerram said his creation provided a "safe opportunity" to explore the sun.

"I hope that the soundscape, lighting and sheer scale of Helios will combine to make an extraordinary and uplifting experience for the public, and I cannot wait to see it showcased in some of the most wonderful locations around England, Wales and Northern Ireland," he added.

Chloe Woodrow, property curator at Ickworth Estate, said she was "thrilled" it was able to host the sculpture.

"It's a privilege to bring such an awe-inspiring and innovative installation to our community and visitors, and to once again celebrate art in all its forms as the Earl Bishop intended," she added.

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