Museum of the Moon coming to Bath Abbey
A giant scale model of the moon will be at the Abbey until Christmas Eve
Last updated 17th Nov 2021
A special art exhibition will open at Bath Abbey this weekend (20 November).
Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon will be in the Abbey from Saturday till Christmas Eve, featuring a scale model of the moon seven metres across.
The exhibit has been travelling around the country and has already been on display at Bristol Cathedral.
It will be available to view by visitors during the Abbey's standard opening hours, but special organised events will also allow people to see it at night.
The Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey said: “We have been planning for the Museum of the Moon for many months now and are delighted that it is almost here.
"We’re thoroughly looking forward to hosting this inspirational artwork during Advent - the season of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, heralded by signs in the heavens.
"As we marvel at the beauty of the Moon and its reflected light, may Christ the true ‘Light of the world’ find welcome and wonder in our hearts.”
The model has been created using detailed NASA images of the lunar surface and is built to an approximate scale of 1:500,000.
Each centimetre of the internally lit sphere represents five kilometres of the true lunar surface.
It will be lifted into the air above the choir screens.
Staff at the Abbey expect thousands of people to visit during the first week of the exhibit.
After hours visits will be possible on a pre-booked basis on several dates between now and Christmas.
These "Moonlight Lates" events will feature a soundtrack created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello winner Dan Jones.
You can buy tickets for the events here.