Moon Palace

Moon Palace is a mobile observatory and social sculpture created by artists Heather Peak and Ivan Morison, as an East Leeds Project and LEEDS 2023 co-production. Housed in a converted school bus, it's a unique and whimsical blend of art, science, and community engagement.

Inspired by the legacy of Leeds-born civil engineer and astronomer John Smeaton, who had an observatory in East Leeds, Moon Palace invites visitors to look both at the universe and the world around them. The interior is a fantastical, multi-sensory space that evokes an imaginary planet, while the exterior is a dazzling, hand-airbrushed artwork.

As a working observatory, the bus is equipped with a powerful optical telescope for stargazing and a radio dish to listen to signals from outer space. A team of artists and scientists host conversations about everything from astronomy and engineering to the connections between people and their communities. 

Moon Palace has toured across Leeds and beyond, bringing a sense of awe and wonder to diverse audiences and making science and art accessible to all.