During the month of October 2026, Museum of the Moon will be on display in Carlisle Cathedral.
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.
The Moon will be suspended from the clerestory in the Cathedral and will rest under the starry ceiling for which Carlisle Cathedral is well known. A special events programme will also be on offer, which will include talks, concerts, late night openings (with optional, at-height “Moon View Tours”), children’s workshops, PJ parties, an exhibition, and more.
Luke Jerram said “I hope visitors enjoy having the opportunity to see the Moon up close – to inspect all its craters, valleys and mountains, and to see the far side of the Moon for the first time. It’s a great pleasure to present the Museum of the Moon in Carlisle Cathedral which will frame the artwork so well. Thanks to all the invigilators and staff involved!”
The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, added “Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon inside Carlisle Cathedral – along with our stellar ceiling – will enable us to see in close detail its landscape. There will no longer be an obstacle for us to see it up close. In the setting of our stars, it will be as if the heavens are close at hand. A divine view, accessible to all, in the heart of our city.”
To experience Museum of the Moon, admission will be by invited voluntary donation, suggested at £5 per adult or £12 per family. No pre-booking is required during daytime opening hours. Donations will enable Carlisle Cathedral to host events like this in the future, whilst also supporting their mission.
Museum of the Moon will be on display from Thursday 1 October – Sunday 1 November. Mondays to Saturdays it will be open from 10am – 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) and on Sundays around the normal pattern of worship. Please check the Cathedral website for more details. Please note, there may be limited access during preparations for services and events. If you are making a special journey, please check the Cathedral website and social media feeds.
To complement Museum of the Moon, an exhibition in the South Aisle will explore our fascination with the night sky and the creation of Carlisle’s own celestial masterpiece: the ceiling of Carlisle Cathedral. We have delved deep into the Cathedral’s historic collections in order to showcase our history with the night sky and the ways in which we have studied the universe as a bridge between faith and science through the ages here at Carlisle.
In addition, to celebrate the impending arrival of Museum of the Moon, the Cathedral team are delighted to launch “The Moon and I” Photography Competition. They are looking for your best photographs of the Moon taken in Cumbria, from breathtaking telescopic close-ups to beautiful moonlit landscapes.
The top five entries will be professionally exhibited during the opening of Museum of the Moon, with visitors invited to vote for their favourite. The winning image will be awarded the Museum of the Moon People’s Choice Award and featured across Cathedral communications and social media channels. The winner will receive a private Angels’ View experience and a meal for two at The Cathedral Café.
Entries are open to photographers of all ages and experience levels. Just point your camera at the Moon and share your best shot. Please email your photographs to info@carlislecathedral.org.uk with the title “The Moon and I” Photography Competition, by 14 September.
The special events programme offers a variety of opportunities to experience Museum of the Moon. Please read our What’s On Guide or click here for more information.
Photo: Luke Jerram
