We like our glowing ball art installations, having seen The Moon in Rochester Cathedral and Gaia floating in a dock (somehow missed Mars though), so it was an obvious call to go and see the centre of the solar system hovering at the Old Royal Naval College.

Helios is a work by Luke Jerram, installed for the duration in the Painted Hall of said former hospital and college in Greenwich. The Hall itself is a fascinating space, a triumph of early eighteenth century painting by James Thornhill. The whole space is essentially a sequence of trompe l’oeil, convincing one that columns have ridges and doors overhangs. The ceiling isn’t bad either. It was originally intended as dining room for the “Greenwich Pensioners”, the invalid sailors of the Greenwich Hospital, but became something of a tourist attraction before finding Nelson lying in state on the return of his Earthly remains. The space has since been restored, and lost none of its glory.

Helios itself appeared like a rising Sun as one headed up the stairs (having first ensured they’re real) into the hall. It glowed, which seems an obvious point but in the dim lighting it gave a sense of the power of our nearest star. We circled cautiously, it’s presence a heavy gravity drawing us towards it but its size somewhat oppressive. The imagery making up the sphere shows great promontories, giant swirls. We examined the ceiling. We examined the walls around. It took some time before we ventured beneath the star’s pole.

In truth though, having been around it, there isn’t much compelling to hold the attention too long. We peeked at other bits of the hall and were then away, a quick drink in a nearby pun and home. The Sun lingers in memory though.