Stamps available to commemorate eclipse

In preparation for the total solar eclipse coming Aug. 21, the United States Postal Service has released a special edition stamp to commemorate the event, “Total Eclipse of the Sun.”

Available at the Thermopolis post office, the stamps are the first to use thermochromic ink, which reacts to the heat of your touch.

The stamp features a vision of a total eclipse of the sun and when you place your finger on the black disk, it turns clear, revealing an image of the moon.

Once it cools, the image reverts back to the total eclipse.

If you purchase a sheet of the stamps you will find a map of the eclipse’s path.

These are forever stamps, so they are 49 cents each, so a sheet of the special edition stamps will cost just $7.84.

Through the USPS website you may also purchase special protective sleeves for the sheet of stamps along with other items, including framed art featuring the stamp with the eclipse, a stamp showing the moon photo underneath, a set of four stamps and a small, commemorative plaque, all for $39.95.

First day covers are also available on the website for 93 cents.

The photo the USPS used for the stamp was taken by astrophysicist Fred Espanak, of a total solar eclipse over Jalu, Libya, on March 29, 2006. The moon photo was also taken by Espanak.