The US Postal Service has introduced two new Priority Mail stamps featuring captivating images from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope as it celebrated the groundbreaking telescope's monumental contributions to space exploration.
The stamps were officially issued on January 22, each portraying distinct celestial wonders captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) during its ongoing scientific mission, which commenced in 2022.
"NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the perfect intersection of science, engineering, and art as it reveals the greatest secrets of our cosmos through the beautiful images it captures," said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
"With these stamps, people across the country can have their own snapshot of Webb's captivating images - and the incredible science they represent - at their fingertips, and know that they, too, are part of this groundbreaking new era in astronomy," she added.
US Postal Service Features Images From NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
One of the stamps showcases the "Pillars of Creation," an iconic celestial formation captured by the telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI).
This instrument, developed and overseen through launch by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, provided a stunning view of the Pillars of Creation within the Eagle Nebula, situated 6,500 light-years away. The image displays towering pillars enveloped in gas and dust, concealing the gradual formation of stars over extended periods.
Designed by Greg Breeding, an art director for the U.S. Postal Service, the Pillars of Creation stamp offers a visual treat that features an image sourced from a collaboration between NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), CSA (Canadian Space Agency), and the Space Telescope Science Institute.
This stamp adds to the collection of captivating visuals associated with the James Webb Space Telescope.
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Cosmic Cliffs
The second stamp, designated as a Priority Mail Express stamp, showcases the "Cosmic Cliffs" in the Carina Nebula, located approximately 7,600 light-years away.
This image was captured by the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on the James Webb Space Telescope. The scene reveals emerging stellar nurseries and individual stars, providing a glimpse into the intricate processes of star formation.
The full-color image, unveiled in July 2022, marked one of the initial displays of the JWST's ability to peer through cosmic dust, offering new insights into the formation of stars. Issuing these stamps is a testament to the interdisciplinary nature of the JWST mission, blending science, engineering, and art.
In emphasizing the significance of these stamps, Fox said they allow people across the country to have a tangible representation of Webb's captivating images and the groundbreaking science they embody.
The stamps follow a Forever stamp released by the US Postal Service in 2022, featuring a digital illustration of the JWST against a starry backdrop.
Collectively, these stamps serve as a visual tribute to the JWST's monumental achievements, showcasing its ability to unveil the mysteries of distant galaxies, stars, and black holes, provide insights into the early universe, and deliver detailed observations of planets beyond our solar system.
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