The SUN will be shining for a whole week on November 16th-22nd, as a giant illuminated art installation comes to St Mary’s Church!

For the first time ‘SUN’, an ambitious and unique experience created from a collaboration between astrophysicists and artists, will be seen on the south coast. You can see visit the SUN at St Mary’s Church, Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA on the 16th from 7.30-9.00pm, and on the 17th- 22nd between 5.00pm-9.00pm

Using data from NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory, leading UK solar astrophysicist Professor Robert Walsh and artist Alex Rinsler came together to create the breathtaking 7-metre floating model of the Sun. This, combined with an original soundscape from electroacoustic composer Ebe Oke, will provide visitors to St Mary’s with an opportunity to wonder at the beauty of our universe.

It has been brought to Portsmouth by St Mary’s Church in partnership with Fratton Big Local and will be part of the 8th annual Festival of Light. This year’s much-loved Lantern Parade is on Friday Nov 17th, leaving the Victory Business Centre at 7pm, and processing down Fratton Road, being lead by the Batala Portsmouth samba band, who will also be playing Under the SUN at 8.15pm.

This is just one of the free events and family-friendly science talks happening under the SUN at St Mary’s Church during the installation. Others include:
• “Save Money , Save the Planet” - Saturday 18th

• Sunday 19th, 6:30pm - SOLAR: Live Music under the Sun - A recital of pieces influenced by our nearest and own star. Come bask in the light of our magnificent stellar wonder in St Mary’s Church, and enjoy a concert of rich and varied live music from musicians Leon Spicer, Andy Hill, Becky Hill and Brian Moles

• Yoga under the SUN - Monday 20th

• Solar Dance - Wednesday 22nd

There is no charge to see the SUN but there will be opportunities to make donations to help support future projects in and for the community of Fratton.

Full Schedule:
Thursday 16th November
- 7:30-9pm - See the SUN

Friday 17th November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- Lantern Parade (7pm, Victory Business Centre)
- 8:15-8:35pm - Batala Drumming Under the Sun

Saturday 18th November
- 11am-3pm - See the SUN
- Save Money, Save the Planet
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - 'Living with our very own star', by Professor Robert Walsh

Sunday 19th November
- 10am-12pm - Under the SUN Church Service
- 1-4pm - See the SUN
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - SOLAR: Live Music under the Sun

Monday 20th November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - Yoga Under the Sun, lead by LANO Yoga (please bring your own mat if possible)

Tuesday 21st November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN

Wednesday 22nd November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 5:15-8:30pm - Dance Under the Sun: Contemporary Dance 5:15-5:25pm, Street Dance 6:00-6:20pm, Contemporary Dance 6:30-6:40pm, Circle Dancing (which you are invited to join in with) 8:00-8:30pm