Hubbles Universe in Stamps

o commemorate the achievements of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Space Telescope Science
Institute (STScI) has proposed that the
U.S. Postal Service issue a series of stamps
highlighting famous HST images. The set
of stamps,
By Edwin L. Aguirre e n t i t l e d
The Universe, would depict spectacular
views of planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
These images are compelling and inspirational, says Robert A. Brown, chief
of STScIs Special Studies Office, who is
spearheading the drive. They have entranced the public worldwide, and disseminating the images on stamps will be
an educational statement both about the
frontiers of science and about the nation
that explores them for the benefit of all
mankind.
The proposal has been endorsed by
the American Astronomical Society, the
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
(ASP), the White House, and some
members of Congress. It is currently

under consideration by the Citizens

Stamp Advisory Committee, which is responsible for reviewing stamp proposals
and making recommendations to the
Postmaster General.
According to James C. Tolbert Jr. of
the Postal Services Stamp Development
Office, Each year we receive thousands
of letters suggesting hundreds of different topics for new stamps. The committee works two to three years in advance.
They are currently working on proposals
for 1999 and beyond.
Anyone who would like to express
support for the HST stamps should write
to Terry McCaffery, Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, Rm. 4474E, U.S.
Postal Service, 475 LEnfant Plaza SW,
Washington, DC 20260.
For more information contact Brown
at the Space Telescope Science Institute,
3700 San Martin Dr., Baltimore, MD
21218; rbrown@stsci.edu; or visit the
ASPs stamp Web site at http://www.
aspsky.org/stamp/stamp.shtml.

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An artists concept of the proposed Hubble Space Telescope stamp set. Top row (from left to
right): A dust pillar in the Eagle Nebula (M16) in Serpens, the Hourglass planetary nebula
(MyCn18) in Musca, the Cartwheel ring galaxy in Sculptor, and part of the Cygnus Loop (Veil
Nebula). Middle row: The Egg Nebula (CRL 2688) in Cygnus, part of the Hubble Deep Field in
Ursa Major, Mars, and the dust doughnut at the core of the galaxy NGC 4261 in Virgo. Bottom
row: The Cats Eye planetary nebula (NGC 6543) in Draco, Saturn, gas rings around the site of
Supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Orion Nebulas Trapezium. Courtesy
Robert A. Brown (Space Telescope Science Institute).

1997 Sky Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.

Sky & Telescope December 1997

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