Cancelled set of four gummed stamps.
Individual stamps in this issue
$1.70 Sea ice microbial communities
Scientists have discovered bacteria that use light to make energy molecules in their cells. Several species of bacteria respond to particular colours of light. To help understand more, sheets of plastic are placed over the ice and the bacteria’s responses to contrasting colours are analysed.
$3.00 Supercool measurements
This stamp shows the crystal structure of a thin section of sea ice. It is photographed with cross polarised light so that each crystal is a different colour. The thin sections are cut from a cylindrical core, drilled from the sea ice. The section in this photo is cut vertically through the cylindrical core and is 9 cm long. It is 'columnar ice' which is the ice that forms when the ocean is at its freezing point.
$3.80 Ice and snow thickness
The electromagnetic induction instrument depicted in this stamp measures sea ice thickness, it is nicknamed the 'EM Bird'. It is suspended 20 metres below a helicopter and flown just 15 metres above the surface. The instrumentation detects both the depth of the snow and the sea ice thickness, contributing to our understanding of sea ice thickness, which is of relevance for global climate.
$4.30 Platelet ice as habitat
This stamp shows the view looking down the sampling chamber of the platelet ice sampler. The sampling chamber towers four metres above the ice and extends a total of 10 metres through layers of ice and into the black depths of the ocean below. The sample is then recovered in sections by applying a vacuum to the top of the sampling chamber.
Explore the work of New Zealand’s leading Antarctic sea ice scientists with the latest Ross Dependency stamp issue. Click here to find out more.
Check out the full range of stamp sets here.
| Date of issue: | 2 November 2022 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | $1.70, $3.00, $3.80 & $4.30 |
| Designed and illustrated by: | Chris Jones, Graphetti , Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours plus overgloss |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Miniature sheet size and format: | 150mm x 90mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Arconvert securpost premium gummed 110gsm |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 20 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 x 13.6 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 1 November 2023. First day covers will remain on sale until 1 January 2023. |
