New stamp collection recognises Dark Sky sites

Mon, 18 Aug 2014

Howard Parkin at the Isle of Man Observatory with a poster of the stamps

Isle of Man Stamps and Coins is celebrating the Island's 26 'Dark Sky' sites with a new stamp collection.

We have the greatest concentration of such sites in Europe - they are granted only to places which have a brilliantly clear view of the night sky, including being able to see the Milky Way.

19 sites were recognised in January of this year, adding to another seven granted by the Dark Sky Discovery Network during October 2012.

The stamps show four scenes taken from different locations across the Island with one or more constellations superimposed on each - including Orion, Leo and Cygnus.

The collection is due for release on September 1st.