Your last chance to see the huge planet Earth in Rochdale

Time is running out to see Gaia - the giant replica of planet Earth in Rochdale.

The seven-metre exhibit has been hanging at Number One Riverside in the town centre since 20 November and has already seen over 10,000 visitors.

But it will close for the final time at 3pm on Christmas Eve (Friday 24 December), ready to be taken down during the festive break.

UK artist Luke Jerram created the three-dimensional model from detailed NASA imagery of the planet’s surface, aiming to create the ‘overview effect’ - a phenomenon astronauts experience when viewing the Earth from space.

The installation is part of Rochdale’s commitment to raising awareness about the seriousness of climate change and its implications for the future.

Gaia is open for viewing 9am to 5pm weekdays (extended until 6pm on Tuesdays), 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sunday.

Booking is not required, but as it is in an indoor space all visitors must wear face coverings. 

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, deputy leader of Rochdale Borough Council and cabinet member for climate change and sustainability, said: “Gaia has captivated audiences across the world, and it has been spectacular to see it in Rochdale. It’s a real one-off opportunity so I do encourage anyone who’s not already seen it to visit before Christmas.

“I hope Gaia has encouraged all of us to consider our impact on the planet and what we can each do to make the borough a greener place.”

 

 

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, added: "Having Gaia with us has been wonderful and it’s been great to see visitors of all ages coming to see it, and also enjoying all the climate change and science themed events that have been running alongside.”

Gaia visitors can share their views on the borough’s climate change priorities; you’ll be invited to cast your vote by placing a token in one of five boxes at the site in Number One Riverside.

The exhibition and supporting events locally are staged in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council and Your Trust, supported financially by the Garfield Weston Foundation.

After leaving Rochdale, Gaia heads to Knowsley then Birmingham before being moving on to Rochester Cathedral in February 2022.

Gaia is created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot, and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centre, with supporting partners Culture Liverpool and Liverpool Cathedral.