2018 First-Class Forever Stamp,Norhtern Lights Over Three Fingers Mountain, Washington

U.S. #5298b

2018 50¢ O Beautiful – Northern Lights Over Washington State

Value:  50¢ 1-ounce First-Class Letter Rate (Forever)

Issue Date:  July 4, 2018

First Day City:  Colorado Springs, Colorado

Type of Stamp:  Commemorative

Printed by:  Ashton...  more

U.S. #5298b

2018 50¢ O Beautiful – Northern Lights Over Washington State

Value:  50¢ 1-ounce First-Class Letter Rate (Forever)

Issue Date:  July 4, 2018

First Day City:  Colorado Springs, Colorado

Type of Stamp:  Commemorative

Printed by:  Ashton Potter

Printing Method:  Offset

Format:  Pane of 20

Self-Adhesive

Quantity Printed:  60,000,000

The aurora borealis (northern lights) is one of nature’s most breathtaking sights.  Only a few lucky countries around the world are able to experience this light display, and the United States is one of them.

Alaska is the best place in North America to view the northern lights because it is located in the “auroral zone,” where conditions are most favorable.  (But sometimes a few lucky places in the lower 48 states are able to see the aurora, too.)  The aurora borealis occurs when solar winds from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetosphere.  Positive and negative particles are exchanged between the two, creating different colors.  Weak winds produce green light (the most common color) while very powerful winds can produce a vibrant red (very rare).  Also, the stronger the solar winds, the farther south the aurora borealis can be seen.

Native Americans, like the Inuit people of Alaska, have a different origin story for the northern lights.  They say the colorful dancing lights are spirits of lost friends and loved ones.  Some tribes also believe the spirits use the aurora as a way to communicate with the living.

Getting the chance to view the northern lights is rare.  You have to travel far from the glow of city lights and wait until the darkest part of the night.  In the end, it’s all worth it to witness the beauty of the aurora.