India on International Astronomical Union 1985
A commemorative postage stamp on the 19th General Assembly of International Astronomical Union (IAU), New Delhi : Halley‘s Comet :
Issued by India
Issued on Nov 19, 1985
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to mark the occasion of the first International Astronomical Union General Assembly to be held in India by the issue of a commemorative stamp.
Description of Designs : The 100 P. multicolour stamp has been designed by India Security Press, Nashik Road. The stamp shows Halley’s Comet (Transparency through courtesy of NASA). The First Day cover and cancellation designs have been prepared by Nenu Bagga.
Type : Stamp, Postal Used
Colour : Multicolour
Denomination : 100 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper
Number printed : 15,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing process : Photogravure
Printed at : India Security Press
About :
- The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was formed in 1919 as a founding member of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and is one of the oldest International Scientific Unions. Its primary aims are to promote astronomy in all its international aspects. The Union has held more than 200 major scientific meetings since its inception; and the most important of these are its General Assemblies, held once every three years. The first of these was in Rome, Italy in 1922, and the nineteenth such General Assembly takes place in New Delhi, India from 19-28 November, 1985, by invitation of the Indian National Science Academy. This is the first time a General Assembly of the Union is being held in India, and is a result of the efforts of the late Dr. M.K. Vainu Bappu who was its first Indian President having held office from 1979-82.
- The IAU General Assemblies are usually attended by a significant fraction of its members who number over 5000 professional astronomers from practically every country in the world. Many of the participants will be young scientists, and many will come from countries where research in astronomy and astrophysics has not yet been fully developed. Several interesting scientific and administrative sessions will be held by the Union’s 41 Commissions during the ten days of the General Assembly covering every branch of astronomy from the study of the Solar System to the Origin of the Universe. The progress in on-going International Co-operative projects will be reviewed and new collaborative programmes will be instituted. India has been a member of the International Astronomical Union from 1946. Over the years it has contributed more and more to this fascinating science, which apart from its great popular appeal, has also made significant contributions to various fields of application such as optics, electronics and computer science.
