It has been nearly a century since the US residents witnessed a total sun eclipse in 1918. Although there were two more related events, one in 1979, visible in the northwestern part of the territory, and the other in Hawaii in 1991, this year marks the first time in 99 years when a solar eclipse’s path will completely cross the country’s territory, stretching from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic.

After such a long long wait, US citizens can now grab a bag of popcorn and a special pair of glasses to explore the next celestial show, which will be on display in each of the state’s “selected theaters,” and will include a portion of 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina on August 21, 2017.

The rare cosmic spectacle inspired the U.S. Postal Service to release an interactive first-of-its-kind stamp, which features astrophysicist Fred Espenak’s astronomical photographs. The postage stamp bears a special feature: it consists of thermochromic ink. According to the agency that delivers postal services across the country, Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp’s image will change when you touch it, owing to the heat of your finger.

Untouched, the stamp depicts the image of a total solar eclipse which took place in Libya in 2006. When it ‘senses’ heat, the picture transforms and reveals the image of another celestial friend of the Earth, the Moon. The author of the second photograph is the same astrophysicist, known also as Mr. Eclipse. Once the stamp cools, it reverts back to the black disc image of the astronomic phenomenon.

On the back of the stamp, customers can find a map which contains information about how the eclipse’s path will stretch diagonally across the US territory. Moreover, the image includes details about the exact time when the eclipse will be visible in certain locations.

Stamp collectors, astronomy enthusiasts, or anyone who is interested in testing out the interactive stamp can order it online, after the official launch ceremony which will be held in Laramie, at the Art Museum of the University of Wyoming (UW), on the day of the summer solstice, June 20.

The audience can inform their friends on social media about the one-of-a-kind stamp, using the #EclipseStamps hashtag. Check out some other solar eclipse stamps, that are part of Espenak’s personal stamp collection, below.

Credits:

Client: U.S. Postal Service

Art Director/Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Issue Date: June 20, 2017

Image: Engadget