Weather On Stamps

An interesting question, guykickingit.

As a long-time amateur meteorologist, I would consider the auroras (both the aurora borealis in the north, and the aurora australis in the south) to be weather events. So what follows may be more than you want to know about auroras.

Auroras occur in the atmosphere at high altitude in the layer called the thermosphere. This layer begins at 53 miles or 80 kilometers above the earth's surface. The thermosphere is not a complete vacuum, like interplanetary space, but consists of very dilute gases that absorb solar radiation. As these gas particles absorb radiation, they heat up and become ionized or electrically charged. And when they become ionized, these particles emit photons of light. The color of light depends on both the amount of energy the particles absorbed and the composition of the gas in different strata within the upper atmosphere.



Just as weather in the lower atmosphere is affected by changes in air pressure, the weather in the upper atmosphere is affected by changes in pressure of the solar wind. We identify significant changes in the solar wind as a "geomagnetic storm." Geomagnetic storms can be classified as moderate, intense, or as super-storms, and they increase the incidence of ionized particles in the thermosphere around the magnetic poles. The auroras we see are the result of these geomagnetic storms.

I could babble on, but I think this makes the point:

If we consider weather as the transitory phenomena that occur as a result of the interaction between solar radiation and planetary atmosphere, then the auroras are indeed weather events.

You can see the current forecast for the aurora borealis here, courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks:
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

Kevin

Thanks Stamp Mole! Thats some interesting stuff. I had no idea that it wasn't a prizm reflection of the sun. Someone told me some hog wash. Or I made that up years ago.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO-OMI-OMM) emblem, pyramids with weather symbols, and satellite, airmail stamp designed and engraved by Michel Monvoisin, and issued by Niger on May 7, 1973 to publicize World Meteorological Day and to commemorate the centenary of the WMO, Scott No. C214.

- nethryk

Weather balloon, vegetation and WMO emblem, airmail stamp designed by P. Opic, engraved by Claude Jumelet, and issued by Senegal on March 23, 1968 to publicize the 8th World Meteorological Day, Scott No. C62.

- nethryk

Hello, I just joined the forum, and my first search was "meteorology." I am a meteorologist, and I have been collecting weather-related stamps for years! My collection is huge, and I'd like to turn it into an exhibit...someday. I have way too many to post myself, but could post a few on any sub-topics of interest (hurricanes, tornadoes, climate change, etc.) I'd also like to add a link to a meteorology on stamps web site put together by two university professors. I have been in contact with them from time to time, but their list is huge and comprehensive. They don't actually own a lot of the stuff, though. They take screen shots from ebay stuff, etc.

I'm currently on the hunt for snowflake stamps. Their site is missing that section, and I have offered to help them. Anyway, nice to meet you all!

http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/dev.../weather.htm

Amy

Thanks, Bobby

Looks like I've recently purchased a few from you :) I recognize the Denmark labels and the 100 used US snowflake stamps. There's still a few I don't have, though.

I've been on a hunt for an older Austria set of stamps, but I have had no luck so far. Any ideas?

That list is from all sellers.

Ah, OK. Thanks. I just looked at the pics and not the details.

Amy

Here is an image of an engraved stamp depicting a weather balloon, a compass and an anemometer, designed by Algerian artist Ali Ali-Khodja (1923-2010), and issued by Algeria on March 23, 1966 to publicize World Meteorological Day, Scott No. 351.

- nethryk

Here is an image of an airmail stamp depicting Aeolus, the ancient Greek god of winds, designed by A. Belkin (? Canadian-Mexican artist Arnold Belkin, 1930-1992), printed by photogravure, and issued by Mexico on September 14, 1973 to publicize the centenary of international meteorological cooperation, Scott No. C415. Note: The current World Meteorological Organization (WMO) originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873.

- nethryk