The James Webb Space Telescope launched on Christmas Day in 2021. In late January, 2022, it reached L2, the 2nd sun-Earth Lagrange point, some million miles (1.5 million km) from Earth. Within the two years since then, Webb has transferring together with Earth as we orbit the sun, whereas gazing outward towards the cosmos. The stream of photos from the brand new space telescope has been nothing wanting phenomenal. Now the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is becoming a member of within the enjoyable. USPS has released two new Precedence Mail stamps created with Webb photos. The stamps present two favourite photos, the Cosmic Cliffs and Pillars of Creation. See them right here!
2 new stamps characteristic Webb photos of the cosmos
Nicola Fox is the affiliate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. She said:
NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is the right intersection of science, engineering and artwork because it reveals the best secrets and techniques of our cosmos via the gorgeous photos it captures. With these stamps, folks throughout the nation can have their very own snapshot of Webb’s fascinating photos – and the unbelievable science they symbolize – at their fingertips, and know that they, too, are a part of this ground-breaking new period in astronomy.
Cosmic Cliffs
The primary stamp is a Precedence Mail Specific stamp. It options the Cosmic Cliffs within the Carina Nebula, which is 7,600 light-years from Earth. NASA launched it in July 2022. And notably, it was one of many first full-color Webb photos that NASA launched. In it, we will see younger stellar nurseries, the place new stars are being born. Furthermore, it additionally reveals some stars, beforehand hidden by fuel and dust, which had not been seen earlier than.
Pillars of Creation
The second stamp options the Pillars of Creation within the Eagle Nebula, 6,500 light-years away. The placing tall pillars are crammed with fuel and dust. Certainly, earlier photos from the Hubble Space Telescope made this cosmic formation well-known. And now we will see it even higher!
These aren’t, nonetheless, the primary Webb-related stamps from the U.S. Postal Service. In 2022, a Forever stamp was additionally issued. However, not like these two new stamps, that one confirmed an artist’s illustration of Webb in space. And what earlier NASA Affiliate Administrator Bob Cabana mentioned then nonetheless holds true now:
When anybody who makes use of these stamps seems at this telescope, I would like them to see what I see: its unbelievable potential to disclose new and sudden discoveries that assist us perceive the origins of the universe, and our place in it. This telescope is the most important worldwide space science program in U.S. historical past, and I can’t wait to see the scientific breakthroughs it would allow in astronomy.
To make sure, Webb has modified our view of the universe, as Hubble did earlier than it. Its infrared “eyes” have revealed never-before-seen particulars in galaxies, star clusters, nebulae and planets.
Do you want the brand new stamps? Will you be shopping for any? Tell us within the feedback!
Backside line: Two new stamps characteristic Webb photos of our wonderful universe. The U.S. Postal Service issued them on January 22, 2024, to assist have fun Webb’s unbelievable mission.
Read more: Wow! Whirlpool galaxy in stunning new Webb images
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