EUROPA 2009: ASTRONOMY
Date of issue: 8 May 2009
Galileo Galilei (Pisa, 15.2.1564 – Arcetri, 8.1.1642), the Italian
scientist, was equally at home in several branches of science. His name
is associated with numerous discoveries in the field of astronomy:
Jupiter’s four larger moons in 1610 and Neptune in 1612. He was among
the first to use a telescope to study the heavens; he observed sunspots
and discovered mountains and craters on the moon. He established that
the Milky Way is comprised of a multitude of stars.
Galileo’s
attention shifted from the geocentric to the heliocentric view of the
world. In 1633 he was put on trial for professing the teachings of
Copernicus. Pope Urban VIII himself presided over the court. Galileo’s
life was at stake as at the time the penalty for heresy was death.
Thanks to his influential supporters, he was sentenced to house arrest
for life. During the hearing he was forced to retract his teachings
about the movement of the earth yet he uttered his today famous words
"Eppur si muove!”, that is yet it moves. Although he went blind, his old
age was spent peacefully and he died a natural death. On 31 October
1992 Pope John Paul II annulled the verdict of the inquisition. (Source:
http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei)
Magyar
Posta’s miniature sheet and the stamps in it have a graphic composition
referring to astronomy. One of the denominations bears a portrait of
Galileo and the space probe named after him and launched in 1989. On the
other Jupiter and the four moons he discovered can be seen. The
connection between the two stamps is strengthened by the fact that the
Galileo space probe researched Jupiter. Galileo’s telescope and
astronomical antennae recording radio signals are shown in the frame.
Interplanetary space is depicted in the background printing. The first
day cover shows the Earth as seen from space. The graphic design of the
special postmark employs stylised astronomical motifs.
SO
Order code: 2009110040011 (miniature sheet) * FDC: 2009110060012
Date of issue: 8 May 2009
Total face value: HUF 660
Printed by Pénzjegynyomda
Printing method: offset
Number of copies: 300,000
External imperforated size of miniature sheet: 105 x 65 mm, perforated size of stamps: 25 x 25 mm.
Designed by Péter Nagy
More information: philately@posta.hu
