Luke Jerram’s Gaia arrives in Lincoln on Monday 5 February and will be on display until Sunday 25 February.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface*. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions. Gaia will be suspended under the central tower in the Cathedral, which will provide a spectacular backdrop.

The installation creates a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

The artwork is 1.8 million times smaller than the real Earth with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture describing 18km of the Earth’s surface.

A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.

The Cathedral is open to visitors between 10am and 4pm Monday to Saturday, and between 11.30am and 2.30pm on Sundays. Adult admission charges apply (please see the Cathedral’s website for details) and children can visit for free.

On the evenings of Thursday 8, 15 and 22 February, the Cathedral will open its doors between 6.30pm and 8.30pm for those who wish to experience Gaia at night. This is a unique opportunity to view the earth’s majesty during the hours of darkness. Admission during these sessions is by donation. Following this at 8.45pm on each Thursday there will be a special service of Compline under Gaia. This peaceful service featuring simple yet beautiful music, is a space for quiet and reflection at the end of the day.

Throughout the three-week presentation, there are lots of events and activities to participate in, from musical recitals to children’s crafts, and special services.

On Saturday 10 February, and from Monday 12 to Friday 16 February between 10am to 3.30pm daily there’ll be arts and crafts in the learning centre including creating collages, making a ‘four seasons’ plate to take home.

On Monday 12 and Tuesday 13, visit the star Lincs Planetarium in the Chapter House to learn all about space.  Fun for all the family, crawl through the entrance tunnel into the dome, where you’ll learn all about space and the stars.

On Thursday 15 February Rhubarb Theatre will be hosting FREE Interactive Storytelling in the Chapter House at Based on the book Is This My Home? by Sean Henrick Moore.

There’ll also be free musical recitals under Gaia on Friday 9 and 23 February at 11.30am featuring the music of Handel, Mahler and Sibellius.

Gaia is the first major event in ‘Our World; God’s Creation’, Lincoln Cathedral’s year-long celebration of life on earth, communities and sustainability during which time everyone is encouraged to get involved and take simple steps to help create a more sustainable future and foster communities which help everyone to flourish.

*The imagery for the artwork has been compiled from Visible Earth series, NASA.