The Postal Service released new Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps on Jan. 21.
Both stamps feature extreme-high-definition images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
Spiral Galaxy, the Priority Mail stamp, shows spiral galaxy NGC 628, located 32 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Pisces.
The blue light within the hazy circular core at the center of the image represents clusters of older stars.
The Webb Telescope’s infrared cameras penetrated thick clouds of gas and dust, allowing them to be seen more clearly.
The stamp’s denomination, $10.10, is shown along the bottom left edge.
Star Cluster, the Priority Mail Express stamp, shows star cluster IC 348, which is located 1,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Perseus.
Gas and dust within the image, captured in infrared light by the Webb Telescope’s filters, cascade like billowing pink, purple and white curtains while reflecting the light from the cluster’s stars — a phenomenon known as a reflection nebula.
Additional stars and galaxies appear as white pinpoints within and beyond the nebula.
The stamp’s denomination, $31.40, is printed horizontally along the bottom left edge.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with images from NASA and other agencies and researchers.
The Spiral Galaxy Priority Mail stamp and the Star Cluster Priority Mail Express stamp are available in panes of four stamps.
