Astronomical Observatories Stamp Collection
Product overview
- Limited-edition of only 150
- Includes an exclusive perforated gutter strip, sheetlet, and two minisheets
- Minisheets are die-cut and has gold foiled numbering 001/150 - 150/150
- Sheetlet measures 150mm x 104mm, has gold foiled numbering and a glitter UV finish
- Gutter strip measures 115mm x 130mm and has a glitter UV finish
With generally low levels of light pollution, the Australian continent is ideally situated for astronomical observation of the southern skies. Numerous ground-based observatories housing optical, radio and other telescopes are located throughout the country. These instruments provide crucial information for space exploration. This issue includes three ground-based astronomical observatories and their historic or current optical telescopes. The Melbourne Observatory stands adjacent to the city’s Royal Botanic Gardens and commenced operation in 1863. Soon after, a 48-inch (120-centimetre) telescope, known as the Great Melbourne Telescope, was installed. At the time it was the largest fully steerable telescope in the world and participated in the global viewing of the transit of Venus in 1874. The stamp shows an illustration of the Great Melbourne Telescope, currently under restoration, and an 1875 photograph of the Moon as seen through this telescope. The Siding Spring Observatory opened in 1964 near Coonabarabran in New South Wales.
The observatory houses more than 60 telescopes, including the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). With a 3.9-metre mirror it is the largest optical telescope in Australia. It is equipped with a robotic spectrograph that can simultaneously observe hundreds of galaxies and stars. The stamp depicts the AAT and the Australian Astronomical Observatory at Siding Spring. The background shows the Orion Nebula as seen through the AAT. The Sydney Observatory was opened in 1858 in the Sydney suburb of Millers Point. The observatory was of crucial importance in Australia’s early scientific history and is now a working museum. The stamp features the historic 29-cm refractor telescope, installed in 1874 and today the oldest telescope in Australia still in regular use. This telescope was used to view the 1874 Transit of Venus, with a detail from contemporary observations shown in the background.
This folder is a limited edition of just 150 units. It contains four exclusive products: a numbered, embellished sheetlet; two numbered, embellished minisheets; and a decorative gutter strip.
Features:
- Presentation folder measures 297mm x 210mm.
- Minisheet 1 measures 134mm x 104mm. Minisheet 2 measures 130mm.
Background information, technical details and gallery images on all our latest stamp issues are available on the Australia Post Collectables website.
- Issue date: 12 November 2025
- Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2026
Visit the articles section of the Australia Post Collectables website for additional content relating to stamp issues, including interviews with experts and designers.
To ensure you have the correct postage for sending your letter or card, please check our up-to-date postage rates.
Australia Post Collectables is a one-stop shop for stamp and coin collectors – a wealth of collectables information in one place.
Access information about special offers, latest stamp and coin releases, licensed products and limited-edition collectables, as well as articles on current and historical philatelic topics. Explore our stamp issues archive, and browse the latest stamp bulletins, too.
Join the Collecting Community
The Australia Post philatelic Collecting Community connects like-minded people with a tailored collecting experience. Receive community-only offers, be the first to preview our releases, and much more. Join today.
Astronomical Observatories Stamp Collection
With generally low levels of light pollution, the Australian continent is ideally situated for astronomical observation of the southern skies. Numerous ground-based observatories housing optical, radio and other telescopes are located throughout the country. These instruments provide crucial information for space exploration. This issue includes three ground-based astronomical observatories and their historic or current optical telescopes. The Melbourne Observatory stands adjacent to the city’s Royal Botanic Gardens and commenced operation in 1863. Soon after, a 48-inch (120-centimetre) telescope, known as the Great Melbourne Telescope, was installed. At the time it was the largest fully steerable telescope in the world and participated in the global viewing of the transit of Venus in 1874. The stamp shows an illustration of the Great Melbourne Telescope, currently under restoration, and an 1875 photograph of the Moon as seen through this telescope. The Siding Spring Observatory opened in 1964 near Coonabarabran in New South Wales.
The observatory houses more than 60 telescopes, including the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). With a 3.9-metre mirror it is the largest optical telescope in Australia. It is equipped with a robotic spectrograph that can simultaneously observe hundreds of galaxies and stars. The stamp depicts the AAT and the Australian Astronomical Observatory at Siding Spring. The background shows the Orion Nebula as seen through the AAT. The Sydney Observatory was opened in 1858 in the Sydney suburb of Millers Point. The observatory was of crucial importance in Australia’s early scientific history and is now a working museum. The stamp features the historic 29-cm refractor telescope, installed in 1874 and today the oldest telescope in Australia still in regular use. This telescope was used to view the 1874 Transit of Venus, with a detail from contemporary observations shown in the background.
This folder is a limited edition of just 150 units. It contains four exclusive products: a numbered, embellished sheetlet; two numbered, embellished minisheets; and a decorative gutter strip.
Features:
- Presentation folder measures 297mm x 210mm.
- Minisheet 1 measures 134mm x 104mm. Minisheet 2 measures 130mm.
Background information, technical details and gallery images on all our latest stamp issues are available on the Australia Post Collectables website.
- Issue date: 12 November 2025
- Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2026
Visit the articles section of the Australia Post Collectables website for additional content relating to stamp issues, including interviews with experts and designers.
To ensure you have the correct postage for sending your letter or card, please check our up-to-date postage rates.
Australia Post Collectables is a one-stop shop for stamp and coin collectors – a wealth of collectables information in one place.
Access information about special offers, latest stamp and coin releases, licensed products and limited-edition collectables, as well as articles on current and historical philatelic topics. Explore our stamp issues archive, and browse the latest stamp bulletins, too.
Join the Collecting Community
The Australia Post philatelic Collecting Community connects like-minded people with a tailored collecting experience. Receive community-only offers, be the first to preview our releases, and much more. Join today.
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