Galileo's telescope reaches 400th anniversary today….

 

 

Hi ! Today is the great day in the field of Science and Astronomy, as exactly 400 years ago today, on 25 August 1609, the Italian astronomer and philosopher Galilei Galileo showed Venetian merchants his new creation, a telescope – the instrument that was to bring him  scientific immortality .The object was able to magnify the night sky, revealing celestial objects nobody could ever find or study before. Galileo's telescope helped the astronomer to learn more about our solar system. That invention forever changed the faces and foundations of science, philosophy, religion, society, and history. Now,  400 years later the year 2009  is being celebrated all over the world as International Year of Astronomy. The different postal administrations are celebrating this great event  philatelically by issuing new postage stamps. Here is a nice postage stamp issued by Indonesia on Galileo commemorating International Year of Astronomy. Today Australia Post is also issuing an amazing set of stamps on Astronomy. This is all for today…..Till Next Post ….Have a Great Time !…

 

Date of Issue – 2 May 2009

New Stamps on Astronomy from Australia

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.

 

Date of Issue – 25 August 2009

 

Coin on International Year of Astronomy by Australia

Meteorite Silver Coin

The $5 Fine silver proof coin features a blister packed centre piece filled with fragments of an authentic meteorite. The Meteorite fell to earth around 4000 years ago, as part of the Campo del Cielo (field of heaven) meteorite shower in Argentina. The original specimen used in the creation of this coin weighed 22.8 kilograms.

Surrounding this centre piece displays a night sky with famous landmarks across the world as well as 4 faces to symbolically illustrate the connection we all share with the universe.

Details of the Coin

Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Issue date: 6 July 2009
Denomination: $5
Metal: Fine Silver
Mass: 50g
Diameter: 50.2mm
Finish: Proof