Stargazing: The Southern Skies
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Technical Details Issue date: 25 August 2009 Issue withdrawal date: 28 February 2010 FDI withdrawal date: 22 September 2009 Denominations: 1 x 55c, 1 x $1.45, 1 x $2.10 Stamp design: John White Printer: McKellar Paper (gummed): Tullis Russell Printing process: Lithography Stamp size: 37.5mm x 26mm Sheetlet size: 142mm x 76mm Perforations: 13.86 x 14.6 Sheet layout: Modules of 50 National postmark: Southern Cross, WA 6426 |
This stamp issue is being released during the International Year of Astronomy. It highlights the beauty of astronomical objects revealed through the art of astrophotography, and it celebrates a science that has had an enormous impact on culture and society worldwide.
The miniature sheet conceptually anchors the three stamps. It shows the dome of the Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring, NSW, backed by star trails around the south celestial pole. The two galaxy images in the stamp designs were taken from this telescope, while the nebula image was taken from a backyard observatory in Yass.
The three images on the stamps are:
- Sombrero Galaxy M104 - 55c
- Reflection Nebula M78 - $1.45
- Spiral Galaxy M83 - $2.10
Issue Highlights
This issue includes a minisheet, and also a postal numismatic cover with a $1 Uncirculated base-metal coin, produced by The Perth Mint.
Postmark
