CHICAGO — As part of activities planned by Adler Planetarium in celebration of the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, August 21, USPS will unveil the first-of-its-kind Forever stamp which transforms the solar eclipse image into the Moon from the heat of a finger.  The Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamp commemorates the Aug. 21 eclipse.

The pane of 16 Forever stamps will be available at the ceremony and a special pictorial cancellation envelope will also be available bearing the stamp and postmark of Adler Planetarium Station for August 21.  The back of the stamp pane provides a map of the August 21 eclipse path and times it may appear in some locations across the U.S.

 “With the release of these amazing stamps using thermochromic ink, we’ve provided an opportunity for people to experience their own personal solar eclipse every time they touch the stamps,” says Chicago District Manager Greg Johnson.   Johnson and Chicago Postmaster Tangela Bush will unveil two images of the stamp.  The first will be of a Total Eclipse at 12:45 p.m. and the second at 2:15 p.m. with the image of the moon that the stamp changes to. 

A total solar eclipse provides the only chance to see the Sun’s corona — its extended outer atmosphere — without specialized instruments. During the total phase of an eclipse the corona appears as a gossamer white halo around the black disk of the Moon, resembling the petals of a flower reaching out into space.   Tens of millions of people in the United States hope to view this rare event, which has not been seen on the U.S. mainland since 1979. The eclipse will travel a narrow path across the entire country for the first time since 1918.

As a safety precaution, the Sun can be viewed safely with the unaided eye only during a few brief seconds or minutes of a total solar eclipse.  Glasses to view the eclipse safely will be provided on site.

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