Katrin Raynor-Evans
Since the first Astronomy stamp was issued in 1887 in Brazil, the subject of Astronomy and that of space exploration has been commemorated on stamps all over the world. Small, bright in colour and educational, stamps are a fantastic way of documenting and commemorating astronomical discoveries, providing a unique historical record, and introducing a quite different way of researching and teaching about the subjects.
I have recently started promoting the discipline of Astronomy and philately at local outreach events and giving on-line presentations on the topic. Over the past two years I have been published in America and the UK for well-known Astronomy magazines, websites, and philatelic associations including winning a prestigious philatelic competition for my ability to tell the story of the 1969 Moon landing through philately.
Outreach events provide a fantastic opportunity to educate people about Astronomy and space exploration through this rather unusual medium. I have taken small parts of my collection to local museums, thrilling and enthusing astronomers from a wide demographic. From Copernicus to Cassini, galaxies to gravitational waves, I take great joy in delighting visitors with this miniature world of stellar information. STEM Through Stamps is an original and surprising way of educating keen astronomers.
The STEM Through Stamps poster illustrates and describes how the pristine, colourful crisp images on the stamps and covers (envelopes) right down to a pictorial cancellation mark can unravel a historical and educational tale of astronomical events in a fun, interesting and engaging manner. The benefits of using philately in Astronomy outreach is described as well as what has been achieved so far.
Stamps, first day covers and other philatelic material opens up a huge window onto our fascinating Universe. (Image: Seyfert Galaxy on a 1st class stamp– orange, yellow and pink in colour on a black background).
Presenting, writing, and exhibiting samples of my collection provides a different way to educate and entertain (Image: Katrin displaying some of her collection at Cardiff Museum).
2. The stamps, the postmark and the cachet (the illustration on the left-hand side of the envelope) on a first day cover unravels a factual tale about an astronomical event. The image in the centre of the slide is a first day cover issued in 1986 with four stamps affixed celebrating the return of Halley’s comet. They depict Halley as the comet; an image of two comets to represent seeing it twice in a lifetime; Giotto and the comet orbiting the Sun.
The ink postmark used to cancel the stamps is that of a telescope with the words ‘the London Planetarium celebrating the Return of Halley’s comet 18th February 1986, London NW1’. A silk cachet of a portable refracting telescope manufactured by Peter Dolland, well known maker of optical instruments is on the left hand side of the envelope.
3. From clockwise, left to right - the benefits of philately in Astronomy education.
Research – Information on the stamp or first day cover drives me to research the topic. Expanding my knowledge of Astronomy and space exploration enables me to teach others efficiently and correctly.
Publications – Promoting Astronomy through philately in popular magazines allows a wide geographical audience to be reached including those in Europe and the U.S. The articles often provide a historical timeline of Astronomy and space events, which makes a useful reference guide. Reading about the topic stimulates a targeted audience.
Exhibiting – Attending outreach events at local museums, schools and Astronomy meetings allows engagement with large numbers within a wide demographic including young people and children. Seeing parts of my physical collection inspires others and shows that it is a fun way of learning for younger astronomers.
Presenting – Presenting is accessible for everyone. Attending astronomical societies allows connections to be made and is also a good way for the talk to be interactive by allowing attendees to explore the physical material at hand.
Images in the centre of the slide are a stamp depicting the Cygnus A galaxy which is 600 million light years away and a stamp illustrating Copernicus holding a model of the sun at the centre of the universe.
4. Achievements over the past two years include promoting the subject of Astronomy through philately, publications in the UK and US in popular Astronomy magazines and on websites, attendance at local outreach events exhibiting selected parts of my collection, appearing on radio to discuss and promote the subject, presenting on-line, using social media to encourage and inspire others to get involved
What does the future hold? Attendance at outreach events, talks for Astronomy societies in the UK, attending the National Astronomy Meeting in Bath to exhibit and discuss philatelic material, continue a social media presence, inspire and educate whenever possible.
Four photographs on the slide illustrate three published articles by Katrin and her philatelic material at an exhibition.