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Our Planet Earth – Gaia

Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 10 minutes
Mother And child stood looking up at Gaia, Life Science Centre's replica of planet Earth.

Wonder at Gaia - a mesmerising, seven-metre-diameter recreation of Planet Earth.

Gaia, created by British artist Luke Jerram, is a mesmerising seven metre diameter installation of planet earth. It features detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and has impressed audiences across the globe from as far afield as London, Hong Kong and Australia.

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. By standing 211m away from the artwork, you can see the Earth as it appears from the moon!

This permanent installation aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect. 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.

Gaia is visible from Life Science Centre's viewing platform upstairs

Gaia highlights

Planet Earth icon.

You can view Gaia by standing, sitting, or walking underneath it, and from different angles in the science centre.

Eye icon

Enjoy a whole new perspective of Earth on our viewing platform upstairs.

Pinpoint on map

There’s lots to look at on Earth – during your visit see if you can find all the continents, countries you’ve been to or where we are.

Environment icon.

It provides a unique opportunity to view our planet floating in three dimensions and is a brilliantly accessible way to consider the fragility and wonder of our planet.

Astronaut icon.

See planet Earth as an astronaut would.

Our climate approach

As the North East’s biggest science centre, Life is committed to helping audiences make sense of complex, controversial and often scary subjects, like climate science.
 

Through workshops, exhibitions and events, we encourage visitors of all ages to understand the issues in an interactive and thought-provoking way.

‘Stunning! I heard about Gaia on the radio, we couldn’t wait to come and see it. It is a wonderful thing to see the Earth rotating in front of you.’

Klara, visitor. 

‘Amazing. Wonderful to look at. My little boy was very impressed!’

Gemma, visitor. 

‘Stunning – a great feature as soon as you enter. My little one was amazed and liked to stand underneath as it spun.’

Louise, visitor. 

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