Philately and the moon—an interactive solar eclipse experience May 22 2017, 0 Comments

I'm a designer. So I love when my interests in the moon and sky intersect with the world of design — this time in stamps. 

I love physical mail. Postcards from far off places; handwritten letters and cards; magazines of all types are presents of visual delight arriving at my doorstep. What could be better?  I always make the postal worker take out the plastic sleeve of pretty stamp options rather than getting a roll of 50 flag ones. So imagine my excitement when I heard about a stamp designed specifically for this year's solar eclipse! 

It's not only a beautiful design. It's interactive. Something magical happens when you press it down on the envelope. 

Here's more information about the stamp which will be available on June 20th. See you in line at your nearest post office.

Meanwhile mark your calendar for August 21st for the solar eclipse.

November’s Full Moon November 28 2012, 0 Comments

The Full Moon this month lands on November 28^th. This full moon also includes a deep penumbral eclipse, easily visible to the naked eye, appearing as a dusky shading on the northern half of the Moon.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and most of Asia, you’re in the right place see the eclipse. Alas, the show begins after moonset for the Eastern US and Canada, but those of us on the western side of the continent may be able to catch part of it. Here’s hoping for clear skies around 9 or 10pm here in the West.

Thanks, NASA, for this information.