New USPS Eclipse Stamp Transforms When You Touch It
As the first total solar eclipse since 1979 in the contiguous United States approaches this summer, the USPS will release a unique, new stamp.
The total solar eclipse stamp will be printed with thermochromic ink so
that when you rub it, the image of a blacked-out sun transforms into a
detailed photo of the moon that’s blocking it. Then, it reverts into the
image of an eclipsed sun.
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| Here’s what the stamp looks like, before and after you touch it |
Of
course, special stamps mean special care: Because thermochromic ink is
vulnerable to UV light, the post office recommends keeping the stamps
away from sunlight.
The “forever” stamp
will be sold starting June 20, with an option to buy an envelope to
protect it from UV light. The stamp pane, or the back of a sheet of
stamps, will feature a map showing the path of the eclipse across the
United States on Aug. 21. The eclipse will be visible, at least in part,
in 14 states, from Oregon to South Carolina.
For more on the astronomical event, visit NASA’s Total Eclipse website.