Essential information
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Date and times | From 3 March 2026 |
| Price | Included with entry to the Royal Observatory |
| Members visit for free. Not a Member? Join now |
A new installation by artist Luke Jerram is coming to the Royal Observatory from 3 March 2026, celebrating 350 years of studying the Moon from this very location.
Since the Royal Observatory’s founding in 1675, numerous generations of astronomers have observed, mapped and photographed our closest celestial neighbour from Greenwich, seeking to understand the Solar System and our place in it.
Called Mirror Moon, this scale model is 2m in diameter and made from mirrored stainless steel. Mirror Moon uses highly accurate topographical NASA data of the lunar surface to transport the Moon from hundreds of thousands of miles away - to right beneath your fingertips.
You can touch craters, valleys, mountains and smooth lava fields on the lunar surface, giving you a multi-sensory experience of our unique natural satellite. Don't miss this chance to run your fingers over the once-mysterious 'far side' of the Moon!
In the same way that we can only see the Moon because it reflects light from the Sun, Mirror Moon reflects light and its surroundings - allowing us to look at, feel and understand this distant wonder in a new way.
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About Luke Jerram
Luke Jerram is a multi-disciplinary British artist, best-known for his large-scale public engagement artworks.
You might have seen his earlier works, Museum of the Moon and Gaia, both of which have been displayed internationally. Jerram's highly accessible and engaging artworks are enjoyed by people on many different levels.
'After seeing my works, I’ve had a small child come up to me and say: “Will you put the Moon back afterwards?” I’ve had astronomers in tears, as they’ve been able to see lunar features they’ve only ever studied with a telescope or a computer.'
Luke Jerram
The new Mirror Moon artwork draws on Jerram's expertise in combining arts, science and engineering to bring people closer to our closest celestial neighbour. There's a full interview with Jerram about Mirror Moon here.
How to visit Luke Jerram's Mirror Moon
Mirror Moon is included with admission to the Royal Observatory. Discover other highlights at the home of time.
Visit the Royal Observatory
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