| Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp | |
|---|---|
| Country of production | United States of America |
| Location of production | Browns Summit, North Carolina [1] |
| Designer | Antonio Alcalá [1] |
| Printer | Banknote Corporation of America [1] |
| Dimensions | 31.12 mm × 31.12 mm (1.225 in × 1.225 in) [1] |
| Perforation | Die cut |
| Commemorates | Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 |
| Depicts | A total solar eclipse |
| Notability | First U.S. stamp using thermochromic ink |
| Estimated value | 49¢ |
The United States Postal Service issued the Total Eclipse of the Sun [2] Forever stamp [3] on June 20, 2017. [4] The stamp includes two superimposed images, one showing a total solar eclipse and the second showing a full moon that is revealed upon heat being applied. This stamp commemorates the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, which was visible across the continental United States from coast to coast, [5] weather permitting.
In the first U.S. stamp application of thermochromic ink, [6] the Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamps reveal a second image. By rubbing a thumb or finger on the image, the heat imparted will cause an underlying image of the full moon to be revealed. Afterward, the image reverts to the dark image as it cools.
The US Postal Service notes that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light causes degradation of thermochromic inks, so the eclipse stamps should be shielded from sunlight to preserve their thermochromic behavior. To help with this, the Postal Service sends panes of this stamp to purchasers in special UV-blocking envelopes. [7] In addition, UV-protective sleeves for the eclipse stamps are available from post offices for 25¢ each.
The photograph of the total solar eclipse on the stamp was taken at Jalu, Libya on March 29, 2006, [8] by Fred Espenak. The stamp's alternate image is a photo of the full moon taken by Espenak [9] at his observatory in Portal, Arizona in 2010. [10] Known as "Mr. Eclipse", Espenak is a retired NASA astrophysicist. [11] The stamp was designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, Virginia. [12]
The stamp is printed in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 16 stamps, [13] in one design. [14]
The stamp is a Forever stamp so has no defined denomination which means it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price, regardless of any future rate changes. [12]
The stamp's First-Day-of-Issue ceremony took place on June 20, 2017, at the University of Wyoming's Art Museum in conjunction [15] with its annual summer solstice celebration. That building was designed with an architectural feature whereby, on the day of the summer solstice each year, [16] a single beam of sunlight moves across the floor [17] and shines on a silver dollar embedded in the floor in the center of the Rotunda Gallery at noon.
Thermochromic ink is a type of dye that changes color in response to a change in temperature. It was first used in the 1970s in novelty toys like mood rings, but has found some practical uses in things such as thermometers, product packaging, and pens. The ink has also found applications within the medical field for specific medical simulations in medical training. Thermochromic ink can also turn transparent when heat is applied; an example of this type of ink can be found on the corners of an examination mark sheet to prove that the sheet has not been edited or photocopied.
A total solar eclipse took place on Sunday, November 23, 2003, with a magnitude of 1.0379. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. It was visible from a corridor in the Antarctic region. A partial eclipse was seen from the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra, including the southern tip of South America and most of Australia.
A total solar eclipse took place on June 21, 2001, with a magnitude of 1.0495. It was the first solar eclipse of the 21st century. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Occurring 2.2 days before perigee, the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.
The solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, dubbed the "Great American Eclipse" by some media, was a total solar eclipse visible within a band that spanned the contiguous United States from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. It was also visible as a partial solar eclipse from as far north as Nunavut in northern Canada to as far south as northern South America. In northwestern Europe and Africa, it was partially visible in the late evening. In northeastern Asia, it was partially visible at sunrise.
A total solar eclipse occurred on Sunday, July 22, 1990. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality was visible in southern Finland, the Soviet Union, and eastern Andreanof Islands and Amukta of Alaska.
A total solar eclipse occurred on Saturday, March 7, 1970, visible across most of North America and Central America.
A total solar eclipse occurred on February 14, 1934. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality was visible from the Dutch East Indies, North Borneo, and the South Seas Mandate of Japan.
A total solar eclipse occurred on June 29, 1927. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. The path of totality crossed far northern Europe and Asia, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Soviet Union on June 29 (Wednesday), and finally passed Amukta in Alaska on June 28 (Tuesday).
A total solar eclipse occurred on June 8–9, 1956. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. It began near sunrise over New Zealand on June 9 (Saturday), and ended west of South America on June 8 (Friday).
A total solar eclipse will occur on Thursday, August 3, 2073. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse will occur on August 15, 2091. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse occurred on May 9, 1929. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality was visible from Dutch East Indies, Federated Malay States, Siam, French Indochina, Spratly Islands, Philippines, and South Seas Mandate in Japan.
A total solar eclipse will occur on May 11, 2059. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse will occur on May 11, 2097. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse will occur on June 2, 2095. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse occurred on May 19, 1928. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse occurred on Thursday, October 12, 1939. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse occurred on October 1, 1921. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse occurred on May 22, 1724. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
A total solar eclipse occurred on March 7, 1598. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide.
The technical details table for the Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp is shown here.
the Forever 49 cent stamp
The stamp's official release ceremony will take place at the Art Museum of the University of Wyoming in Laramie on June 20, the day of the summer solstice.
For the first time since 1979, a total eclipse of the Sun is coming to the continental United States, and for the first time since 1918, it is crossing the country from coast to coast.
Ce timbre qui est le premier timbre américain qui utilise de l'encre thermochromique [This stamp is the first American stamp that uses thermochromic ink]
... hält die US-Post bereit: Sie legt eine spezielle Briefmarke auf, die 'Total Solar Eclipse Forever'. Berührt man die auf der Marke abgebildete verdunkelte Sonne, erscheint ein Bild des Mondes. Das Foto auf der Briefmarke zeigt allerdings die Sonnenfinsternis vom 29. März 2006, aufgenommen in Libyen. [... the US Postal Service is ready: it is making a special stamp, the 'Total Solar Eclipse Forever'. If one touches the darkened sun on the stamp, a picture of the moon appears. The photo on the stamp shows, however, the solar eclipse of 29 March 2006, taken in Libya.]
With the heat of a finger, Espenak's photo of the total eclipse of the sun transforms into an image of the full moon, also captured by Espenak.
... the full moon image was made from [Espenak's] observatory in Portal, Arizona in 2010.
The stamp, printed in panes of 16, ...
On June 20, 2017, in Laramie, WY, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp (Forever priced at 49 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 475300). The $7.84 Total Eclipse of the Sun pane of 16 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually. The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 20, 2017.
Tuesday's ceremony was timed with the first day of summer.
... a single beam of sunlight shines on a silver dollar embedded in the floor, which occurs at noon on the summer solstice in the UW Art Museum's Rotunda Gallery.[ permanent dead link ]
Visitors are encouraged to arrive at 11:30 a.m. to watch a beam of sunlight move across the floor, hitting an embedded silver dollar in the center of the Rotunda Gallery at noon
| External image | |
|---|---|
 The two stamp images. On top-right is default stamp image. On bottom-left is image when heated. [1] |
