Celestial artist Luke Jerram unveils another of his large scale installations in the spring — and this time, visitors can touch it.
Mirror Moon is exactly that — a replica of our Moon, two metres wide and made from mirrored stainless steel. As is Jerram's way, he's blended science and art to recreate the textures of the Moon's surface using accurate topographic data supplied by NASA.
Visitors will be able to run their fingers across the craters, valleys, mountains and smooth lava fields visible from Earth, and the heavily cratered surface of the 'far side' of the Moon which we never see.
Jerram's previous works have included replicas of the Earth, Moon and Mars, and have been on display at venues including the Natural History Museum, Southwark Cathedral, and Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College.
Says Jerram:
For more than two decades, the Royal Observatory Greenwich has been inspiration for my work as an artist and so it's an absolute privilege to be commissioned to create this new sculpture for the Museum and to be part of its story. I hope Mirror Moon will inspire generations of visitors to have an interest in contemporary science, art and the wonder of the night's sky.
Mirror Moon goes on display in the Meridian Courtyard at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, right alongside the Prime Meridian line.
Luke Jerram's Mirror Moon is at the Royal Observatory Greenwich from 3 March 2026. Tickets are £24 adult/£12 child.
